Exploring the Dimensions of Caregiving: the Meaning of the Child sub-patterns

Chapter 5 differentiates caregiving patterns in more depth. Patterns of attachment and caregiving are by necessity simplifications, they are not ‘things’ to be discovered. They are ways of interpreting and illuminating what may be going on in a parent-child relationship. They are relatively stable but not permanent or definitive and must be integrated with other information to have substantive meaning. The MotC caregiving patterns are not discrete categories but best conceived of as a place on 2 dimensions: intrusion vs. withdrawal and child protection vs. self-protection. In this way we can use 2 different lenses to make sense of parent-child relationships. 14 years of using the MotC has allowed us to identify common sub-patterns; staging posts on these dimensions, rather than separate categories. When capturing the experience of the child, we use child-facing terminology around Unresponsiveness, Sensitivity and Control. We also offer alternative corresponding labels, which articulate the parents’ rationale and experience of caring; how they are trying to care for and protect their child. Rather than striving for non-pathologising language, which can minimise risk or relational difficulty, this approach supports practitioners in holding onto both child and parental perspectives in working with families, even where these are in conflict.