How to Get Through Separation Anxiety with Your Child

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The time is going to come when you’ve got to say goodbye to your child for the first time. The first time you leave your little one with another person when you’re not there is going to wreak havoc with your emotions and may even create separation anxiety. The length of time your child is away from you is only going to increase as they get older. However, it’s important for you both to learn how to be comfortable with being apart. Initially, it’s going to be hard but there are steps you can follow to make these transitions a bit easier for everyone involved.

Separation Anxiety – Quick Goodbye

Something to remember when you’re saying goodbye to a child is to make it quick. If you draw it out or make a fuss, it’s going to make your child feel more worried. They could think you’re leaving them in a bad place, and get more anxious about you leaving them. However, if you make it a quick and simple goodbye, it will feel less of a big deal. Even if you’re finding it difficult to say goodbye, particularly the first time, put on a brave face to make it easier for the both of you.

Pack a Bag

Something that will make the inevitable goodbye easier for your child is to pack a bag full of familiar objects. It can include their favourite book, a soft toy, maybe even a comforting blanket. Perhaps the night before you could pick the items together. These familiar objects can make the world of difference when your child is in a new place or with new people. They can help calm them down and make them feel more at home. SkateHut offer a wide range of backpacks, which are great at fitting your child’s favourite things in.

Practice Make Perfect

Like with so many things in life, you’re going to get better the more you practice. The first goodbye is going to be the hardest, and sadly there’s not much you can do to change that. However, the next one is going to be that little bit easier. The one after that even more so. The more you practise saying goodbye, and being away from your child for longer periods of time, the easier it’s going to get. Please remember it doesn’t make you a bad parent to be away from them, just a normal and healthy one. You want your child to have their own sense of independence when they get older.