As a mother, I have always found it difficult to leave my children in the care of someone besides myself. As soon as I head toward the door, the crying and pleading start, filling me up with a strange sense of guilt. During various parts of my day, I would find myself thinking about my children, red faced and still screaming their lungs out. I would rush to pick them up, to be attacked with hugs as I entered into the house. "Mommy! You're here!" would repeat itself, causing me to smile with some relief. I would ask the caregiver daily, "How long did they cry for me?" She gives me the same answer every time I ask, "They were fine after about 5 minutes."
Learning about childhood attachment has certainly helped me. I understand that children develop an attachment to their primary caregivers, and that it is natural. I have thought in the past that when I left my children with babysitters, that I was doing harm to them by leaving them. In reality, they have benefited greatly. My children trust me, as they know that for every time I leave, I always come back. Also, for my son that is in school, he is able to achieve academic success as he is not searching for me to comfort him. He has a high sense of self, great self-esteem, and the ability to create and maintain peer relationships.
Knowing about childhood attachment is important when working with families. It may uncover some issues occurring within the family, and it may determine why the family functions in the way it does. Understanding the "Strange Situation" and attachment is especially critical for those working in a child care center. Providers would be better able to distract little ones, and provide comfort while the parent is away.