Sleepovers at dad’s ‘may damage brain’

Brain damage ... A well-known child psychologist says sleepovers at dad's may impair a child's brain function if they are being separated from their primary caregiver. Source: News Limited

CHILD psychologists and parenting experts have warned that young children from separated families could suffer brain damage by sleeping over at dad's if their mum is the primary caregiver.

Psychologist and author Penelope Leach has made the explosive statement that separation from mothers "reduces brain development" and could lead to "unhealthy attachment issues," according to the Independent .

Dr Leach, whose parenting books have sold millions, says even one night away from mum, if she is the primary caregiver, could cause lasting damage.

Not everyone's convinced.

Dr Leach first caused controversy in the 1970s when she released her book, Your Baby & Child: From Birth To Age Five, which suggested that only mothers could care adequately for a child and a father's role is secondary.

Dr Leach says shared custody is being treated as a right rather than considering what is best for the child.

Divorced dad ... Comedian Louis CK shared his compelling philosophy about smartphones with Conan O'Brien. Source: NewsComAu

While fathers' groups have called the comments 'absolute poison', Oliver James, a trained clinical child psychologist, journalist and TV presenter, said Dr Leach was providing "good advice."

"All the evidence suggests that younger children should not be separated from their primary caregiver who, in the vast majority of cases, is the mother," he told the Independent. "If the child has a really strong attachment to both parents, there might be a case for exploring whether it really matters if they have sleep- overs at the father's. But in most cases, you should do nothing to disrupt the relationship with the primary caregiver. To do so can affect the child's brain development.

"I'm particularly glad Penny is taking aim at the family-law profession, where there is appalling ignorance about these effects on children ... The ruling elite frequently had poor early care themselves – it's why they are so motivated to get to the top," he said. "After the age of three, it becomes more debatable about whether children will be damaged by living between two homes and by the age of about six, I don't think it's a problem."

Damage ... Charlie Sheen, pictured here with his porn star fiance Brett Rossi, shares custody of his children. Source: Splash News Australia

The New Fathers4Justice direct action group, said the advice "sounds like absolute poison and potentially terribly damaging to children's development".

"Overnight stays with fathers from as early an age as possible are crucial if children are to form strong attachments with both parents," a spokesman said.

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