Alicia F. Lieberman

“Ghosts in the nursery are the visitors from the unremembered past of the parents; the guests who now live in the nursery.”

“Emotions are the organizing principles of the self.”

“The toddler's 'no' is not a rejection of the parent, but an assertion of the self.”

“When a toddler is conflicting, it is often a sign of healthy development.”

“Safety is not the absence of threat, it is the presence of connection.”

“The parent’s role is to be a container for the child’s overwhelming feelings.”

“Understanding the meaning of a child's behavior is the first step towards helping them.”

“Trauma in early childhood is not a life sentence, but it requires a life-long commitment to healing.”

“The toddler years are a developmental crucible, forging the character and personality of the future adult.”

“Play is the language of children. It is the way they process their experiences and make sense of the world.”

“Love is not enough. We need to translate our love into behavior that the child can understand.”

“When we listen to children, we do them a great service. We tell them that they matter.”

“Toddlers are not being manipulative when they have tantrums; they are overwhelmed.”

“A secure attachment is the best protection against the stresses of life.”