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.”
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.
Provide consistent emotional availability for children.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- family counseling
- parenting workshops
- school support programs
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What strategies help maintain emotional availability?
- How can children be supported when parents are unavailable?
Parents may struggle to balance personal needs with child care.