How to deal with parent separation anxiety?
Serena Waelchi
2025-06-29 21:27:40
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: 17
Focus instead on helping your child to learn how to manage their feelings without you – an important part of helping them to become more independent. Talk about what you will do together later. Discussing plans for your return helps to ease this fear. Practice short separations and work toward longer ones. Leave a soft toy or blanket with your child to help ease separations. Comfort your child when they are afraid. Make sure to always respond with understanding and compassion and take care not to trivialize their worries. Introduce any new caregiver gradually. Make goodbyes quick and positive. Try as best as you can to remain calm and positive when saying goodbye. Smile, tell your child you will see them soon and do not prolong leaving.
Jaydon Feil
2025-06-20 19:07:22
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: 11
Remember, it's only natural for your baby to feel anxious without you, so there's no reason to feel guilty when you need to get on with other parts of your life. In fact, separation anxiety is usually a sign of how well you have bonded with them. Instead, you can focus on helping your baby understand and deal with their feelings so they feel more secure. They'll learn that if you leave them, they will be OK and you will come back. If your baby's old enough, you can talk to them about what's happening, where you're going and when you'll be with them again. Practise short separations from your baby to begin with. You could start by leaving them in someone else's care for a few minutes while you nip to the local shop. Leave your baby with someone they know well so they still feel comfortable and safe in your absence. Gradually work towards longer separations, and then leaving them in less familiar settings. Talk about what you'll do together later. Talk to your toddler about what you're going to do when you see them again so they have something to look forward to with you. Leave something comforting with your baby, it may comfort your baby to have something they identify with you – like a scarf with your scent on or a favourite toy – close by. Make saying goodbye a positive time, when you leave your baby, however sad or worried you may be feeling, smile and wave goodbye confidently and happily, otherwise they will pick up on your tension.
Lily Nienow
2025-06-16 09:26:37
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: 4
If parents and carers can focus on consistently ensuring their child feels loved and understood, they’ll learn that when they are left it will be OK, and that their carer will come back. A child needs an adult to help them to find ways to understand and express their difficult feelings. Usually, these responses to separation will lessen with time. Babies and young children often cry as a way to communicate their needs and feelings. This is a normal part of development, which young children usually grow out of by around 3 years. Levels of separation anxiety vary widely. Some toddlers may become upset initially when their parent or carer leaves, but are then able to enjoy playing with their toys, and other children and caregivers.
Dell Swaniawski
2025-06-05 17:31:20
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: 8
When you love someone, it’s hard not to worry about them.
It’s simply a part of life.
But the distress with separation anxiety disorder is out of proportion to the situation.
It may also start to interfere with your work or relationships.
For example, you might call off work to stay with your loved one or text them often to make sure they’re OK (and worry until they reply).
Maybe it’s only when your child or partner gets frustrated with your checking on them that you realize your anxiety is more than typical.
Recognizing separation anxiety disorder in children can also help, separation anxiety disorder symptoms can look a little different depending on your child’s age.
If you force a separation despite your child’s protests, then your child may appear sad or uninterested in whatever setting they’re in.
If away from home for several days, a child with separation anxiety disorder might get extremely homesick and feel miserable until they’re allowed to leave.
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