When my first son, Blake was younger (now 5), I would feel a sense of urgency whenever something wasn’t right with him. I wanted to fix it and almost took it as my doing (or not doing) that he was upset.

I’ve done a lot of growing since then. When my second son, Nate was born four years after Blake, I actually wondered if I had not fully bonded with him because I did not have any concern or anxiety when he was upset as a newborn. I would always hold him, love him and tend to his needs, but the calm within me did not change with his moods.

This same calmness continues today and I DO often wonder if it is indifference (even though I am passionately in love with him!)- your comment above made it clear to me that it is not indifference, but a lack of attachment to his upset. Thanks Arun.