Trust is the Foundation for the Good Parent-Child Relationship.
In Erik Erikson’s psycho-social model, the first developmental stage in the life of a child is Trust vs. Mistrust. To trust is to believe that another’s words or actions are true and can be depended upon. Mistrust is fear of not being responded to or doubting that others care about one’s needs. Hope and optimism are cultivated in the child through trust; skepticism, fear and insecurity grow when basic trust needs are not met. To be fed, heard, responded to, comforted, held, touched and loved are the basic trust needs in the first two years of life.