If you are a parent of a small child, then you likely are all too aware of separation anxiety. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, separation anxiety is a common problem seen in young children starting between the ages of eight to twelve months old.
Children with this problem become very tearful and overly upset, sometimes to the point of hysteria, when their parents leave them with another caregiver. When a child has separation anxiety, it can be a random individual they don't want to leave, or it could be a specific person that they never want to lose sight of.
Separation anxiety can be just as upsetting and frustrating to parents as it is to the child. Nothing can be more disconcerting and exhausting than having to be constantly within sight of your child, or risk him becoming distraught should you leave him for any period of time.
Some children will often need more than just the presence of the chosen caregiver in the room to settle down. They will need physical contact such as being constantly held or in the care giver's lap. Whilst physical contact is essential for the emotional development of a child, a child with separation anxiety will crave this contact too much. It will get to the stage where it is impossible to get anything done around the house which can lead to other problems. Furthermore, separation anxiety will make leaving the child with someone else before going to work or simply to run some errands a daily struggle.
Parents dealing with separation anxiety may be comforted by the knowledge that this a normal stage of development for children. Hence, separation anxiety is not caused by parents emotionally smothering a child or neglecting their emotional needs. Rather, it is simply a typical stage experienced by many children.
Put aside a consistent time every day to address separation anxiety issues, such as informing your child that you need to leave but will come back shortly. You must then leave the house for approximately five or so minutes. Stay out of sight of the windows in case your child looks out. Your child may have a tantrum, but when you come back in the house, greet him or her as if nothing unusual happened and go about your normal routine, whether it's to read or watch TV. Let the child come over to you, but without any fanfare. If this is done enough times, your child will eventually get the idea and will have the secure feeling that you are there for him/her and feel less anxious.
You can help your child better deal with separation anxiety by slightly, but consistently distancing yourself more frequently. If your child throws a tantrum every morning before work, try applying a regular routine and sticking to it, as opposed to battling against your child's fear.
Children with this problem become very tearful and overly upset, sometimes to the point of hysteria, when their parents leave them with another caregiver. When a child has separation anxiety, it can be a random individual they don't want to leave, or it could be a specific person that they never want to lose sight of.
Separation anxiety can be just as upsetting and frustrating to parents as it is to the child. Nothing can be more disconcerting and exhausting than having to be constantly within sight of your child, or risk him becoming distraught should you leave him for any period of time.
Some children will often need more than just the presence of the chosen caregiver in the room to settle down. They will need physical contact such as being constantly held or in the care giver's lap. Whilst physical contact is essential for the emotional development of a child, a child with separation anxiety will crave this contact too much. It will get to the stage where it is impossible to get anything done around the house which can lead to other problems. Furthermore, separation anxiety will make leaving the child with someone else before going to work or simply to run some errands a daily struggle.
Parents dealing with separation anxiety may be comforted by the knowledge that this a normal stage of development for children. Hence, separation anxiety is not caused by parents emotionally smothering a child or neglecting their emotional needs. Rather, it is simply a typical stage experienced by many children.
Put aside a consistent time every day to address separation anxiety issues, such as informing your child that you need to leave but will come back shortly. You must then leave the house for approximately five or so minutes. Stay out of sight of the windows in case your child looks out. Your child may have a tantrum, but when you come back in the house, greet him or her as if nothing unusual happened and go about your normal routine, whether it's to read or watch TV. Let the child come over to you, but without any fanfare. If this is done enough times, your child will eventually get the idea and will have the secure feeling that you are there for him/her and feel less anxious.
You can help your child better deal with separation anxiety by slightly, but consistently distancing yourself more frequently. If your child throws a tantrum every morning before work, try applying a regular routine and sticking to it, as opposed to battling against your child's fear.
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