Dealing With Your Child's Separation Anxiety

Is your child’s anxiety affecting their normal activities and development? If yes, you must know how to deal with your child’s anxiety when you are away from them. Up to a point, it is normal for every child to feel anxious when their parents are not around. 

However, there are noticeable differences between normal separation anxiety andseparation anxiety disorder. Normal separation anxiety is when the child’s anxiousness lasts for a very short period, after which the child continues with his/her normal activities. But when the child’s separation anxiety lasts longer than a month and interferes with his/her daily activities, it indicates that the child might have a ‘separation anxiety disorder.’

While you should be concerned, this is more common in children than most parents realize. The road to managing the symptoms of separation anxiety involves observing and understanding your child’s symptoms and using a calm but firm approach to tackle them.

How to Deal With a Child’s Normal Separation Anxiety?

If your child experiences normal separation anxiety, you can manage the situation using a few specific ways. Here are a few steps you can follow to make the separation process easier and reduce your child’s anxiety.

• Gradual increase of the separation period: Begin by planning a shorter separation period and monitor your child’s behavior during that time. If you notice your child handles the separation and gets back to normal in a short time, you can start preparing your child mentally by gradually increasing the separation time. 

• Maintain a schedule: Form a routine to leave and return to meet your child at nearly the same time every day. It keeps the child aware that their parents may not be present at that very moment but will show up as usual. Here, you have to be very punctual about the time to avoid any unusual behavior or triggers that may alarm your child.

• Develop a habit of executing a quick “goodbye” process: A longer goodbye period increases the child’s attachment with you at that moment. However, a faster goodbye process is easier for you and your child.

• Make a clear conversation: Make sure you communicate clearly with your child about your schedule and tell them the approximate time of your return. Talk to them about your work and make them understand that you are a working professional. 

Teach them the fact that they may not be in your (parent’s) company all the time. Clear communication develops their confidence and also eases your life as a parent. 

How to Deal With a Child’s Separation Anxiety Disorder?

You can help your child by educating yourself about ‘separation anxiety disorder.’ Rather than being afraid, try to combat the situation. Don’t worry; with care and patience, your child will learn to adapt and adjust to the situation over time.

Meanwhile, it helps to be more mindful of your child’s needs :

• Increase your listening skills and keep your ears open to observe and understand all that your child feels. 
• Encourage social involvement and physical activities of your child.
• Praise your child more often than usual.
• Prepare a timetable and rules, making the child ready for the day.

Conclusion

Dealing with your child’s separation anxiety is easier when you follow a few key steps discussed in this article. Moreover, you must also develop a disciplined yet stress-free lifestyle. However, if you find it difficult to resolve the situation despite using these methods, please consider taking a professional’s help.