Helping Children Cope with Separation Anxiety

Separation Anxiety occurs, particularly in children, during times of stress or change. It is characterized by symptoms of insecurity and anxiety when a child must separate from a particular caregiver. Symptoms can intensify well after the initial point of separation and can become very disruptive for both child and parent. Symptoms might manifest as sleep disturbances, tantrums, withdrawal, or other behaviors otherwise atypical of the child.   Having worked in the childcare industry myself, I had seen this difficult and emotional scenario play out firsthand. I had watched many a mama linger tearfully in the doorway, wringing her hands together in certain agony, while her child struggled dramatically over the separation, causing a great internal debate between if it would be better to just quit her job and stay home full time or if it was just time to give her baby bird a big shove out of the nest.  Every child and every family dynamic is different, but here are some simple ways to help a child cope with feelings of separation anxiety: Empathy Sometimes when struggling with anxiety, we only need to be heard. Children are no different in this regard. They need to have mirrored back to them that their emotions are normal and important, but also passing. Empathizing with our children instead of trying to convince them everything is okay also removes the potential for argument and power struggle, which is a cycle that only prolongs feelings of anxiety. Instead of saying, “Itâ...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Anxiety and Panic Children and Teens Parenting Child Development Separation Anxiety Source Type: blogs