Suppose you are providing counseling to parents regarding their son, Nicholas. His parents report that Nicholas is a difficult child and disregards any of the demands made by his mother. During the "strange situation" test, Nicholas seems angry with his mother for having left him, but he turns from her when she tries to comfort him. What could you hypothesize about the parenting style of

Nicholas's mother, and what advice might you offer to improve the situation?

What will be an ideal response?

Nicholas seems to have a resistant attachment to his mother. Her parenting is likely to be inconsistent and depend largely on her mood. Recommendations would aim at improving the bond between Nicholas and his mother through the promotion of routine interactions and sensitive parenting. Responsiveness to the child's needs and a pattern of stimulation offered by the parent can promote a secure attachment. Social and environmental factors that might promote insecure attachment can also be identified and targeted as needed.