Providing a nurturing environment for your child is paramount, especially during the most formative years. Many of us often wonder if we’re “doing it right” as parents, but being your child’s nurturer comes down to one thing: just be there for your child. Rock him to sleep when he wakes up in the middle of the night, feed her one of her favorite snacks when she’s hungry. Know your child’s cues and try your best to meet their needs. If you happen to miss a cue, too, no worries! You can repair the missed cue.

Taking care of basic needs – as well as everything else on this list – will ensure that you and your child share a special, unbreakable bond. You can ensure your child has a secure attachment style from birth onward. Attachment styles are an “association between a person’s attachment characteristics early in life and adulthood.” The attachment styles are: Secure, Anxious-Preoccupied, Dismissing-Avoidant, and Fearful-Avoidant and can take on many variations. Forming a secure bond with your child can take many forms, and what works for you and your child may not work for everyone. Find the method that works best for you.

RESOURCES: