Research shows that babies who receive affection and nurturing from their parents/caregivers have the best chance of developing into children, teens and adults who are happy, healthy and possess individual-level Protective Factors, such as relational, self-regulation and problem-solving skills.

Parents/caregivers nurture their children by making time to listen to them, being involved and interested in their children’s school and other activities, staying aware of your children’s interests and friends and being willing to advocate for your children when necessary.

Nurturing and Attachment is a lifelong journey. 

However, the intensity and intimacy of the first three years of life can never again be replicated.

• The interplay between attachment and nurturing is profoundly important in all stages of life-but it looks and feels different at all stages as well.

• If a young person did not receive a secure attachment as a child, that does not mean that all hope is lost. It just means that those skills associated with nurturing and attachment and the feelings that come with them will need to be developed in other ways.