Quote Originally Posted by AfricanBluebird View Post
You know this thread shows why I love this board.

While some slam someone like Ravel, people on this board offer a more compassionate viewpoint which is so refreshing.

As a qualified child development specialist, I can tell you some of these observations are spot on.

Early childhood neglect, trauma and what we call 'attachment disorders' are significant factors in children growing up with huge problems. It's NOT their fault.

While poverty can play a part in childhood neglect it's not always down to poverty either but parenting, circumstances and other factors.

I do a lot of work with young people who have been brought up in 'institutional' care. The problems they have as young adults are significant and even those who went to well funded and materially rich 'institutions' have similar but more nuanced challenges. I've done studies about this and one reason why the 193 UN signatories has committed (in 2019) to end institutional care.

Same for kids who bounce around foster care placements.

Those early years are SO important. And having a caring, attentive and consistent care giver (whether both parents, a single parent, kinship carer or foster carer) is critical for healthy development and attachment.

If anyone wants to pick my brains, challenge me or simply have a discussion, if it's area you're interested in, please drop me a DM.
Thats a great post.
The first 5 years of a childs life are the most formative . We should be taught that at school .
Most of us go into parenting without a clue.