Separation Anxiety in Older Child

Separation anxiety in older child:

When you are leaving your child, tell them exactly when you will be back. Your child will probably still be of an age to not understand time yet, but you can set a child friendly clock and tell them where the big or little hand will be when you are due back. Or you can say you will be back straight after lunch.

Make sure you are back exactly when you have said, or your child will be harder to leave next time.

Leave something of yours with your child, a jumper which has your smell, your watch, or some other item your child associates with you.

Make sure your child has his favourite toy with him.

Ask who ever you are leaving your child with to distract him with a game, or cooking or something your child really likes.

Make your ‘good bye’ loving but quick. A hug and kiss then straight out of the door, out of sight of your child is best, however upset they, or you, are.

To reassure yourself, arrange to phone the person looking after your child half an hour later to see how they are getting on.