If your child has an excessive worry or fear about being apart from you or other caregivers, they might be experiencing separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is a typical response in infancy when we learn to rely on our parents or carers for safety. Gradually, toddlers and children understand that brief separations from their parents or caregivers are normal and that they will return.
However, for some children, separation anxiety remains intense and becomes problematic, preventing them from doing activities they need or want to do, such as going to school.
If you think your child is experiencing separation anxiety, you might wish to try:
- saying goodbye in a calm and loving way, such as giving a hug and reassuring them you’ll be back and they’ll be okay. Tell them when you’ll return and what you’ll do together
- leaving an item that reminds them of you, like a note, hair band or toy, for comfort
- gradually building their tolerance to separation with short, routine separations, increasing the duration over time.