By Ma. Yvette Heart Calimlim
It’s pretty normal children feel fearful saying goodbye whenever they get separated from parents. After all children got used to be with their parents since birth. Separation anxiety is a normal phase of child’s development. It could be relieved if you know how to handle them and children get over the time and when they are growing. But parents need to know whether this anxiety is normal and what’s not which needs to be check by a professional.
Here are some tips that can help us parents deal with this separation anxiety:
1. Always say goodbye and have it ritual. One mistake of parents are escaping from their children which tends the child to be more anxious. Child can easily adjust if he sees their parents go without any disturbance and much more kissing them goodbye.
2. Do practice separation more often. You may opt to live your child to your relative or caregiver for a short of period of time. Gradually he will get used to not seeing you around even for long period of time.
3. Keep in touch with your child. Calling them shows assurance that everything will be alright and you’ll come back the soonest you can.
4. Teach your child not to be scared of people. Sometimes a child needs to see different side of people not just only the parent but this is to know who he should trust or not.
5. Do not immediately leave your child to strangers. It would help you child adjust if he can still be with his siblings or grandparents. Our family can be the best person to fill your absence for a while.
6. Leave without any trumpet call.
7. Make the surroundings familiar as often as possible.
8. Keep your promises as much as possible. Child always believe any words coming from you so parents should always be careful about it. They depend on what you say.
What are the symptoms of separation anxiety disorder?
1. A child panics too much that he can’t breathe normally.
2. A child never wants to sleep alone.
3. Too much worried of his surroundings.
It is really hard to leave your child crying while going and this cannot help both sides. Realizing that we need to be separated from each other for them to grow independently and wisely. After all this is just temporary and we can’t blame a child for feeling anxious as they are with us 24/7 and had no one but you taking care of him. Parents should also accept fact that we need to let go of our children and let them grow. Child also feel that if he’s parents are anxious or not secure leaving them with anyone, the feeling is always mutual. So it should start with you by showing them everything will be fine and nothing to be scared of. For most children this separation anxiety passes over time but parents always know that if this would be serious enough and better if you seek professional help.
Source: www.parents.com
