3 Separation Anxiety Tips

Does your child cry or cling onto you (or both!) as you leave?  Your child may be experiencing some form of separation anxiety.  Children at this age don’t have a good concept of time; so they are unsure of just HOW LONG you’ll be gone.  Try these 3 tips to help ease your child’s worries and fears. 

1. Stick to a routine.

 

I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, ROUTINE IS EVERYTHING!  Most people function better when they have a routine.  This is especially true for children.  Kids don’t really have a say in what their day to day consists of, however, they thrive when they can accurately predict what is coming next.  Come up with a routine that you do every morning before coming to school.  It can be anything from sitting down to eat breakfast together, or talking about their day ahead in the car.  Once you have this routine, stick to it! 

2. Create a goodbye ritual.

 When dropping your child off at school don’t just simply “disappear” on them.  This can cause your child to feel panicked or abandoned.  Take a moment to say goodbye to your child so they are aware of your absence.  Do the same type of goodbye daily (make it part of your routine!) and remind your child you will be back to pick them up later on.  Your goodbye ritual can be anything from a simple hug and kiss to literally anything that helps your child feel good about you leaving.  

3. Put on a brave happy face. 

 

Kids are so much more perceptive than they are given credit for.  If your child sees that you are nervous or anxious about leaving them, then they are more likely to be nervous and anxious.  So no matter what you are feeling on the inside put on a brave and happy face.  As the saying goes, “Fake it till you Make it!”