Our Community

Page 1 of 1 (3 items)

Grandparent Attachment.

Author Information Posts

nellia07

Joined on 06-28-2009

Posts: 4

Grandparent Attachment.

I need some help please.  I need some tips and perhaps some guidance for my Mother and I.  I have a Daughter, she just turned two.  My Husband and Daughter and I lived with my parents for almost the first year of my Daughters life.  Well about three months ago it got to the point where I cannot take her from my mom, NOR her house.  It gets violent despite our efforts to either calm her or ignore the temper.  I mean, screaming, kicking, biting, hitting, and now using her forehead to crack someone else in the head.  I want her to be close with her Grandparents.  I was very close to my Grandmother as a child.  But I need to calm this down a little.  She now screams so bad, even in stores that I had someone think I was kidnapping her. 

HELP PLEASE !!

Amanda_Our365Host

Joined on 01-25-2008

Posts: 1,262

Re: Grandparent Attachment.

 Hi nellia07! Our experts weren't able to post directly, but they sent a long a reply to your question:

 ----

We're sorry your daughter has chosen a violent way of expressing her desire to stay with her grandmother.  What you described is not unusual for young children, that is, their need to attach to someone to the exclusion of everyone else.  Having one significant attachment is much simpler than having several. Two-year-old children aren't very flexible because they haven't had much experience in life and can't anticipate outcomes as easily as older children.
 
What is most important here is to allow her to have her attachment but with limits.  If your mother is your primary baby sitter, the transition will be much more difficult, so consider another sitter.  Then it will be important to limit for a while your daughter's contact with her grandmother to help her ease the loss she feels when she is forced to leave her.  She can certainly have a good relationship with her grandmother when she is a bit more mature and can handle separation more easily. 
 
When you do visit your mother, begin preparing your daughter for separation by warning her 10 minutes before it is time to leave by saying, “We will be leaving in ten minutes, so let's start getting ready.  I'll set the timer so we'll know when it's time.”  This warning allows your daughter to prepare herself mentally to leave and is a signal for cleaning up, putting toys away, and getting last hugs.  Then when the timer rings, say, “The timer says it's time to go now.  Kiss grandmother goodbye and tell her you'll see her again soon.”
 
If your daughter resists simply repeat what you have said and then pick her up, facing away from you so kicking and head butting are not as easy, and leave.  Repeat this action while praising any of your daughter's cooperation by saying such things as, “You kissed grandmother so nicely. That says you're ready to go home.”  Time and maturation are on your side. Stay the course…patience will be your best friend! 

angel22p

Joined on 08-05-2009

Posts: 1

Locked

Re: Grandparent Attachment.

When I read your problem I knew I needed to reply as a grandmother of my first grandchild. I feel that maybe this situation should not only be addressed by you and your husband but also by your mom. I too have been in my grandsons life since the day he was born. He lived with me for the first 5 months of his life and then every weekend after. He also has shown some behavor issues as we leave him off with his dad. But i try to work with him as where bringing him home. I will let him know that he is going home to see daddy who misses him and loves him so much. I let him know that we will be back to get him and 5 days. He doesn't understand days yet but he is only 15 months old but because we keep doing the same every week he can get the feel of what is happening.  So let your mom help with this buy letting her let go in a timely manner. If he see that she is doing as your doing it might help.

Page 1 of 1 (3 items)