When you say farewell, it is normal for your young child to feel anxious. Crying, tantrums, or clinginess, all the hallmarks of separation anxiety, are healthy responses to separation and a natural period of growth in early childhood. It may start before the first birthday of a child and may recur until the age of four. While the severity and timing of separation anxiety can differ greatly from child to child, it's important to note that even when your child is older, a little concern about leaving mom or dad is natural. The worries of your child can be relieved with awareness and the right coping mechanisms, and should disappear fully as they get older.
Some children, however, experience separation anxiety that doesn't go away, even with the best efforts of a parent. During their elementary school years or beyond, these children experience a continuation or re-occurrence of extreme separation anxiety. If separation anxiety is too excessive to interfere with daily activities such as school and friendships, and persists for months rather than days, it may be a symptom of a greater problem: separation anxiety disorder.
How to ease “normal” separation anxiety
There are steps you can take for kids with normal separation anxiety to make the separation anxiety process easier.
· Separating practice. Initially, leave your child with a caregiver for brief periods and short distances. You will eventually leave for longer and move more while your baby gets used to separation.
· Schedule separations during feedings or naps. When they're exhausted or hungry, babies are more vulnerable to separation anxiety.
· Establish a simple routine of "goodbye." Rituals are reassuring and can be as quick as a special wave or a farewell kiss through the window. However, keep things quick, so you can:
· Leave without fanfare. Tell your kid you're leaving and you're going to come back, then go, don't stall or make it a bigger deal than it is.
· Follow on through promise. It's crucial that you return to the time you promised for your child to build the faith that they can handle separation.
· Where necessary, retain familiar surroundings and make new surroundings familiar. Have your sitter come to the house. Encourage them to carry a familiar item while your child is away from home.
· Have a steady primary caregiver. Try to keep them on the job in the long term if you employ a caregiver to prevent inconsistency in the life of your kid.
· Minimizing frightening TV. If the shows you watch are not scary, your child is less likely to be afraid.
· Don't try to give in. Setting clear boundaries will assist your child's transition to separation, ensuring your child that they will be just fine.
A lot of childrens are like this. Thanks for this helpful article.