In my practice I am regularly asked the following question: What can I do to help my child? In the context of a child, adolescent and family psychology practice, the question is best understood as what can I do to promote my child’s wellbeing?

There are many perspectives and recommendations in the parenting and psychology literature about what parents can and should do to promote their child’s wellbeing. It can, quite literally, be overwhelming for parents to know what is best for their child. Keeping this in mind, I have reflected long and hard about fundamental aspects of good parenting and practical strategies for implementing them.

I believe that a lifetime of happiness and fulfillment stems from children developing a secure attachment to their primary caregiver(s) during their preschool years. Secure attachment relationships stem from the infant and young child experiencing their primary caregiver(s) as:

• Accessible,
• Understanding, and
• Emotionally Connected.

As…