EP103: Healthy Attachment and the “Strange Situation” with Bethany Saltman

Sex Birth Trauma with Kimberly Ann Johnson

What Bethany Shares:

• Bethany discusses her new book, “Strange Situation”, and why understanding attachment is so helpful
• Her personal journey as a mother and the re-evaluation and renegotiation of her own narrative
• Bethany gives her thoughts on modern attachment parenting

What You’ll Hear:

• Bethany tells us about her book, “Strange Situation: A Mother’s Journey into the Science of Attachment”
• The difference between research and me-search
• Classical Attachment and Modern Attachment Styles
• Bethany’s journey of renegotiating her past and her narrative through the lens of Mary Ainsworth’s research and writings
• The power of leaving your kids alone
• Attachment parenting
• Dr. Sears is public enemy #1
• Reflective functioning/ mentalization
• The struggle to understand the world as a third being when raising your child
• How being your best and worst self can ultimately benefit your child
• The secret window of time
• Being comfortable is key to comforting your child
• Why attachment is nothing to be afraid of, because we can always move ourselves into more security

Summary:

Bethany Saltman joins the Magamama podcast once again, this time to discuss her new book “Strange Situation: A Mother’s Journey into the Science of Attachment. We talk about how insecurities can devastate your ability to function as an independent adult, and Bethany shares her own story of how she’s overcome these difficulties.

Bio:

Bethany Saltman humbly describes herself as a long-time Zen student who lives in a small town in the Catskills with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. Moreover, she is a renowned author, researcher, and editor whose work can be found in publications such as New Yorker, New York Magazine, Atlantic Monthly, Parents. Bethany has spent years studying the many emotions we feel that make us human. Amongst those emotions, attachment is one that stuck with Bethany, leading her to write her first book “Strange Situation: A Mother’s Journey into the Science of Attachment”.

Resources:

• https://www.bethanysaltman.com/strange-situation
• Twitter - @BethanySaltman