Abstract
We have followed up 9 children in 3 professional families (PF) by observation and interviews with parents. The interpretation was open and based on common sense and folk-psychology, but als on the theory of D.
Winnicott: developmental stages, the concept of holding and the distinction between the true and the false self: the majority of children from collective home showed ""primitive"" behaviour as stereotyped, monotone movements like nodding their body (nevertheless, expressing so their resisting true self), unusual compliance and readiness to leave their professional mother (PM) with any stranger. We were interested if it is possible to articulate a lovely care without the promise of a love for ever.
Main data are presented in a table for every child: its history; its response to the arrival into the PF; its acceptance of the PM; duration of the period of adaptation; striking and "primitive" manifestations of the self; physical contact, movement and integration; eating and excretion; relationships with other persons; the will; communication and speech; play and games; then, in the second part of the table: the tasks of the PM to do for the child; activity of the child directed to change her status from the professional to the promise of love for ever; her professional vs. maternal involvement; conclusions for the case.