Learning to Love Your Children

Back to List of Excerpts

There seems to be an unspoken expectation that you will automatically bond with your children at birth, and I saw many friends go through the birth process and be devastated because that bond wasn't automatic. One of the most useful pieces of literature I received during my first pregnancy was from the Department of Western Australia, the state where my children were born, in which the following quote was true for me, "It's very important to be close to your baby as soon as possible after birth. Love at first sight won't necessarily follow. It takes time to fall in love. But being close and cuddling gives you and your baby the best chance to get in touch with each other right from the start" (Health Department of Western Australia, 1986).

Love At First Sight?

It takes time to fall in love. We need to create experiences that develop trust. As with any love we need to cultivate it. Just because we are parents does not mean we are automatically bonded with our children. As with adults, we have to develop that bond with our children and continually nurture our relationships with them. As our children grow and change, so will the techniques we use. Here are a few to get you started and in time, can be modified.

Back to List of Excerpts

.