Deal With Separation Anxiety In Toddlers

My article in oneindia.com: http://www.boldsky.com/pregnancy-parenting/toddler/2013/deal-with-separation-anxiety-toddlers-033645.html

Separation anxiety is a fairly common condition that almost all toddlers come across at some point of time of their life. It is a great feeling that your toddler prefers to be with you than anyone else. But, this may create problems when you have to stay away from your toddler, for any reason.This can occur when your toddler attains representational ability which will enable them to remember things even after they are removed from their vision. This will allow them to identify your absence. In some cases when it is unavoidable to send your toddler to a child care centre, you may be worried about their separation anxiety. Here are some tips which will help your toddler to overcome and manage such situations.

Deal With Separation Anxiety In Toddlers

1. Wave a bye-bye: It is a big mistake to scoot from the home when your toddler is otherwise engaged. It is better to wave a bye – bye to your toddler when you leave your home. This may make them cry for some days at the beginning, but gradually they will understand it as a normal routine.

2.Set a gradual change: Instead of giving them a sudden surprise, allow them to manage the situation by letting them know about the separation gradually. A slow, but sure idea should be plotted and executed. This will help your toddler to cope with the separation anxiety.

3.Prepare before hand: If you are planning to leave your toddler with a child sitter, it is better to be with your child sitter for some days, regular in the beginning and then in alternative days for one week. This will make them familiar with the child sitter.

4.Keep them busy: Since the storage of memory for incidences is temporary in toddlers, they will forget about your absence if their concentration is distracted. You may try some creative toys instead of soft toys or idles. This will keep your toddlers to overcome separation anxiety.

5.Resist your soft feelings: It is natural to run back to your crying toddler to comfort them. This will not help you to keep the situation under control. Instead of helping your toddler to deal with separation anxiety, it will make things worse.

6.Try hide and seek: It may sound funny and comical, but involving in plays which assure the appearance and return of people will work. It will help your toddler understand slowly that you will be back to them after a particular time.

7. Assure care and comfort: It is very important to give your toddler assurance about the care and comfort that they will receive even in your absence. Accentuate the fun and not the fears.This will help them to deal with separation anxiety.

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