"Children model their future relationships on those that they see [in relationships - primarily their parents] aged about 3 to 6, so actually this time [age 3 to 6] is crucial for them not to be brought up in an unhealthy environment." RealityIsMyOnlyDelusion, writing on another thread. I have come across this before, but had forgotten about it.
So, for those of us who find ourselves in dysfunctional relationships, spanning this critical age in our children, is there anything we can do to make amends?
DS was three and five months when his dad and I separated. We have been trying, on and off, to reconcile since. DS is now nearly five, and I think we're finally calling it a day, though not for want of trying. We both wanted to do all we could to keep the family together, but in fact we could have done more harm than good in persevering for so long - giving DS an unstable, ill-defined and at times tense relationship model during his 'romantic phase'. Whatever can I do to compensate? I feel I have let DS down and 'missed the boat' WRT giving him the best chance of a healthy relationship himself.
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Relationships
If children learn most about healthy relationships aged 3 to 6 (and mostly from their parents), what can be done when a family breaks down around this crucial age?
4 replies
honeydews · 03/05/2009 23:02
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