Page 91 - Meeting with Children Book

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and appropriately respond to their child’s distress
signals is paramount.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR FAMILY LAW

PRACTITIONERS WHEN THINKING
ABOUT ATTACHMENT

 Review the Circle of Security and identify what
each parent offers to the child related to safe
base and safe haven behaviors
 Is one parent over-protective to the point no
exploration can take place?
 Is one parent under-responsive to emotional
issues, not offering sensitive, warm,
accurate and timely responding?
 Don’t use term attachment – describe what you
mean behaviorally
 Fill out the Parent Readiness Scale after meeting
each parent
 Have material available to provide to parents
about the importance of safe-base / safe-haven
behaviors post separation and divorce
 Know the attachment literature and do not use
“time” as synonymous with the development of
attachment behavior. Time alone will not be a
substitute for secure attachment post separation
and divorce