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Ambivalent Quote by Anna Freud

“It is only when parental feelings are ineffective or too ambivalent or when the mother's emotions are temporarily engaged elsewhere that children feel lost.” quote by Anna Freud
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“It is only when parental feelings are ineffective or too ambivalent or when the mother's emotions are temporarily engaged elsewhere that children feel lost.”

Anna Freud

About This Quote

Source Book: Introduction to the Technique of Child Analysis, 1936

Children feel lost when mothers are emotionally unavailable or conflicted, highlighting the need for consistent parental presence.

In simple terms: Kids need stable emotional support.

Key Takeaway

Provide consistent emotional availability for children.

Themes

parenting emotional health child development attachment

Mood

empathetic supportive

Type

psychological educational

When to use this quote

  • family counseling
  • parenting workshops
  • school support programs

Key Concepts

psychology family dynamics maternal influence

Questions to Reflect On

  • What strategies help maintain emotional availability?
  • How can children be supported when parents are unavailable?
A Different Perspective

Parents may struggle to balance personal needs with child care.

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