Monday, June 6, 2011

Variations in Maternal Fuctioning

The ideal Mother The borderline Mother

1.Comforts her child 1.Confuses her child

2. Apologizes for inappropriate 2.Does not apologize or remember
behavior inappropriate behavior

3.Takes care of herself 3.Expects to be taken care of

4.Encourages independence in 4.Punishes or discourages independence
her children

5. Is proud of her children's 5.Envies, ignores or demeans her children
accomplishments & their accomplishments

6.Builds her children's 6. Destroys, denigrates or undermines self
self-esteem esteem

7. Responds to her children's 7.Expects children to respond to her needs
changing needs

8.Calms & comforts her children 8.Frightens & upsets her children

9.Disciplines with logical & 9.Disciplines inconsistently or punitively
natural consequences

10.Expects that her children will 10.Feels left out, jealous or resentful if the
be loved by others child is loved by someone else

11.Never threatens abandonment 11.Uses threats of abandonment (or actual
abandonment) to punish the child

12.Believes in her children's 12.Does not believe in her children's basic
basic goodness goodness

13.Trusts her children 13.Does not trust her children

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