Dealing with Separation Anxiety
When a child is away from his parents, he experiences separation anxiety. This worry might be shown by sobbing, clinging to parents, or even tantrums.
It’s upsetting to see, yet separation anxiety is typical and natural in early infancy. Still, there are certain things you can do to help your child deal with separation anxiety.
Separation should be introduced gradually.
Initially, leave your child with a caregiver for short periods. This will assist your youngster to acclimatize to the separation by allowing them to practice being apart from you.
Choose a dependable, experienced babysitter who will provide your child with beneficial early separation experiences.
Maintain Familiarity with Your Surroundings
It’s a good idea to have caretakers come to your house to watch your child if at all possible. Even though you will not be present, your child will feel secure because of the familiar circumstances.
Send a familiar object, such as a favorite toy or blanket, with your child when she needs to be away from home. This, too, can create a sense of familiarity and comfort.
Don’t Try to Get Away With It
It’s sometimes easier to wait until your toddler is distracted before rushing out the door. However, this can have a negative impact on your child’s faith in you in the long run. Furthermore, your child may be disappointed because he was unable to say goodbye.
Make your goodbyes brief and to the point.
Try not to drag out your goodbyes to your child, no matter how terrible it is. “Prolonging the departure provides your child the sense that there’s something to be fearful of,” explains Dr. Alex Barzi, clinical director of the New York University Child Study Center’s Institute for Anxiety and Mood Disorders.
If you hear your child weeping, try to say a brief, quick goodbye and don’t turn around and go back. This is difficult, but your youngster will likely brighten up shortly after you leave.
Establish a Goodbye Routine
Routines are soothing, so devising a brief, entertaining goodbye routine can help alleviate your child’s separation anxiety. For example, you could sing a song, give a hug and two kisses, say a certain word, and so on. Choose a method that works for your child and stick to it.
Find a Reliable Caregiver
Switching caregivers may exacerbate your child’s separation anxiety. It is preferable if you can utilize the same caregiver consistently so that your child feels more at ease.
Find a dependable babysitter or a daycare with a low turnover rate of childcare providers.
In the end,
Separation anxiety is common and nothing to be concerned about, but following the advice above will help you and your child say good-by more easily.