Calgary's downturn: a time to teach our children some valuable lessons

"What children need are parents who are present and attentive, who talk and listen to them, and who care and support them.

This type of parenting, often referred to as "attachment parenting", puts at the centre the nurturing of strong parent-child connections.

There is no thing — no new toy, no game or piece of technology, and no item of clothing that can replace supportive relationships and a sense of belonging. We know from attachment theory that securely attached children are confident, cooperative, independent, have high self-esteem and are more resilient under stress.

These are important skills that help children later on in life."