Week Six

Wendy and her mother continue to struggle in their relationship. Sierra has decided that she will ignore Wendy most of the time, something made a little easier by the fact that she is spending a lot of time with her new love interest, Dan. Dan seems OK with the idea that Sierra isn’t always “at her best,” and her mood has been lighter with her realization that she can still be attractive after having two children.  

Sierra perceives Wendy to be quite demanding, always “wanting her way.” Sierra doesn’t know what to do, and she yearns for the simpler times of Wendy sleeping most of her day when she was a newborn. For her part, Wendy can be found around the house watching a good bit of TV. With those at her preschool, Wendy is sociable and often kind with other children. She laughs and is able to get along with others. But, those times when she is met with a limit for her behavior are difficult for all involved. Staff members from the school have met with Sierra many times, all to no avail. Sierra is beginning to think that her daughter has some kind of problem, and she is considering taking her to see a child psychiatrist. 

Wendy and her sister continue to grow in their relationship, and they seem to enjoy one another. With the few number of toys they have, they love “playing house.” Wendy is usually “in charge,” something her older sister is mostly OK with. From time to time, however, the two fight as sisters sometimes do, and this leads Sierra to “snap” by yelling at both of them. Wendy usually runs away crying.  

* Describe the typical developmental milestones for a 4 year old and how these may manifest differently in the parent-child relationship for a child with an anxious-avoidant attachment pattern.

* Describe the manner in which a family transitions from Part B of IDEA to Part C. What are the major differences between the services provided under Part B vs Part C?

* Why do you think Sierra is considering a child psychiatrist and not a different kind of mental health professional?

DECISION POINT ::: Does Sierra take Wendy to see a child psychiatrist?

In addition to the questions above, please also answer the following questions posed to you by the other groups (not all questions are included from all groups) :::

From Thomas Mahoney Group :::

1) Are parenting groups widely used in America? What are the demographics concerning people who participate in parenting groups? How and where can people find parenting groups in their community?

2) What lasting impact will Sierra’s anxious/avoidment attachment approach leave on her daughter Wendy, as well as her other child if she does not seek further treatment for her depression?

3) Can Sierra legally seek financial support from her ex-fiancee because he is the father of her two children? What child support plans can Sierra look into?

From the Ahmad Nassar Group :::

1) What may have influenced Wendy and her mother’s strained relationship?

2) How might Sierra react in light of her feelings towards Wendy and Wendy’s tendency to be “inconsolable”?

From the Lisa Yoo Group :::

1) Sierra has been suffering from depression. This single father that she met at the group might be interested in her, but if she pursues this possible relationship, what effects will that have on her life as a mother? Will it take away from her attachment problem with Wendy? Or is it possible that with another single parent in her life, she can learn to cope better?

2) Is there any other possible reason that Wendy could have this attachment issue? From decision point response, it is made to sound as if Sierra gets help for her depression, Wendy will be “cured” of her attachment issue. Could it be possible that there is something wrong developmentally or chemically in Wendy instead of just in Sierra?

Week Five

Individual assignments.

Week Four

Now 2 1/2, Wendy and her mother might be mistaken for strangers. It seemed that Sierra just didn't know what to do with Wendy, and she was visibly uncomfortable with Wendy's needs and tendencies. Sometimes Sierra felt that Wendy was "inconsolable" and just couldn't be soothed. Sierra continues to struggle with her moods, and she finds it exceedingly difficult to attend to Wendy.

Sierra has managed to find her way into a parenting group and met a nice single dad there. She might have imagined that he was interested in her; she wasn't sure. It might be that she goes back again, and maybe not. Sierra didn't have time right now to think about her own needs and was focused on the kids.

* Describe typical developmental milestones for a 2 1/2 year old child.

* Illuminate the family system based on the readings and indicate the various systems of which Wendy is a part.

* What resources might be available for Sierra and Wendy if their relationship continues to be a difficult one? Assume an anxious-avoidant attachment style as your group indicated last week.