Relationships Quick Answers
Our grandchild seems to be reaching out for our son’s ex-wife, rather than us or our son who are his daily caregivers. Should we be worried that he hasn’t bonded to us?
It is important that children have adults in their lives
who consistently provide them with sensitive, responsive
care. This means that the adults provide warmth and
affection, but also structure and limits that are
predictable and consistently enforced in a positive way.
It also means that adults respond to children’s feelings
in sensitive ways, acknowledging their feelings. These
behaviors of warmth, structure, and sensitive responses
to children’s feelings help children develop a sense of
security. If you are providing this type of care, you
probably don’t need to worry about your grandson having
a close bond with you. Your grandchild probably does
have one. However, if you have concerns about your
grandchild’s relationship with you, you may want to get
an evaluation from a professional counselor.
Children have the capacity to be bonded, or attached,
to several adults. Your grandchild can have an important
bond to his mother and have a strong bond with you and
your son as well—it is not an either/or situation. It is
natural for children to want to have relationships with
their parents, even when a parent has not been involved.
Children with divorced parents adjust better if they
have ongoing, supportive relationships with both parents
after the divorce. So it is generally recommended that
these relationships be encouraged except in situations
where the child might be in danger.
It’s not unusual for caregivers to worry about being replaced when new people become part of the child’s life. However, this is unlikely to happen if the caregiver continues to provide sensitive care and is consistently available for the child. Remember that having multiple sources of support benefits children. Working with a counselor to discuss any fears of being replaced can be helpful.
Kim Leon, Ph.D., Former Assistant Professor and State Specialist, Human Development & Family Studies, Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri Extension
Alison Levitch, Human Development & Family Studies Graduate Student, Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri Extension
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Last update: Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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