What is Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety refers to a child’s emotional reaction when they are out of their parents’ or caregivers’ sight. This is not a disease or syndrome and it’s normal to have from an 8 months baby to 3 years preschool-going child.
Every parent faces the universal problem that leaving their child in daycare or preschool makes them cry, and their children force them not to leave or say goodbye.
How to Manage Separation Anxiety?
Parents find it difficult to leave their babies at the nursery or daycare because of separation anxiety in children. This separation anxiety makes the parents’ lives hard to complete their other responsibilities.
Here are some useful tips that will help you manage your children’s separation anxiety.
Talk about what you will do together later
Do a little talk with them about what we do after getting together. You can tell them “We will go to ice cream or go shopping” or you can discuss another plan. This will lessen their fear and anxiety and they will have something to wait ahead.
Communicate clearly and consistently
While saying goodbye, keep your language understandable to them, like “I’ll be right back to you.” Also, tell them where you are going and how much time you will get back to them. Telling them all of this builds your trust in them. Keep your promise complete that you will come back to them and pick them to go there or get something else that you have promised to them before. It will build their trust in you.
Be wary of overprotecting your child
Stop overprotecting your child, it will make them sensitive and discourage them from learning. Also being overprotective of your child can make their separation anxiety worse. Then they can never learn how to solve their problems and develop bonds with others. Let them learn and explore their world by observing and protecting themselves. You have to keep a balance between protecting and supporting your child.
Practice short separations and work toward longer ones
Do a practice early of leaving your child to someone whom you trusted. It could be a friend or grandma’s house before your child starts to get daycare or go preschool. Practicing before leaving them at preschool, your child may not feel pulled at that time and he will have a practice of getting over separation anxiety.
Make goodbyes quick and positive
Tell them that they don’t have to worry and smile at them while staying calm. Say a quick positive goodbye to them by hugging and kissing them. Then they will get calm when you are not around them. Not saying a cheerful goodbye and getting back to them at the time that you have promised can make them upset.
Leave a comfort object or toy with your child
Children have some favorite toys and things that they enjoy playing with. Giving them that toy or stuff to make them relax and distract them from you while having separation anxiety.
Trusted giver
Ensure your child is with a trusting giver who is familiar with him and with whom he can develop trust. Your child will feel safe and relaxed with them, and you can easily leave him with them.
Make your child comfortable with a new environment
Before leaving your child, spend your most time with him in that new setting. After this, your child will feel comfortable and familiar with a new environment and their separation anxiety can be lessened.
