How many of you felt it when Ishan Awasthi was crying and missing his mom when he was dropped at the boarding school? I was 8 when Taare Zameen Par was released and cried my heart out seeing Ishan getting separated from his mom and family. With tears in my eyes, I asked my parents if they would also leave me at a boarding school alone?
Children tend to get anxious when their parents or family members are not around. According to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, “Nearly all children between the ages of 18 months and 3 years old have separation anxiety and are clingy to some degree.” A baby cries if someone other than his/her family member holds them. While going to preschool for the first time, a toddler cries for a few days when their parents drop them. Eventually, it takes time for a child to be okay being apart from the family.
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Stanford states, “A child with (Separation Anxiety Disorder) SAD worries a lot about being apart from family members or other close people. The child has a fear of being lost from their family or of something bad occurring to a family member if he or she is not with the person.”
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Symptoms Of Separation Anxiety
- Refusing to sleep alone
- Refusing to go to school
- Nightmares of separation from family
- Worries a lot when parted from home
- Worries about the safety of a family member
- Reluctant and fearful to be alone
These are a few common symptoms seen in kids with separation anxiety. To understand how parents can address this disorder, Only My Health interacted with Dr Savneet Kaur Bhasin, Mental Health Therapist, Mumbai.
Tips To Understand And Address Separation Anxiety
Understanding a child’s fear can be difficult and as parents, if your child becomes anxious and stays clingy, you would not want to leave them alone. But is that how you should address it? Here are some tips with the insights of Dr Bhasin on understanding and addressing Separation Anxiety.
1. Gradual Exposure
Dr Bhasin recommends a gradual exposure approach to parents in easing separation anxiety. She said, “It starts with short separations and gradually involves extending the time apart. This strategy helps children to develop a sense of security and confidence, effectively overcoming separation challenges with emotional well-being.”
2. Comforting Routines
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Baby steps at a time to deal with the babies should be the approach. Having comforting routines like talking openly about goodbyes can help the kids. Dr Bhasin says she sees separation as a chance of growth which makes children stronger. She said, “It is all about making every step a positive part of their growth journey.
3. Building Trust
The regular schedule serves as an anchor for the kid to hold on, acting as a sense of security. Verbally reassuring the child as a parent that you will return helps build trust in them. Dr Bhasin said, “The strategy involves gently introducing short separations, allowing the child to adapt progressively. This deliberate approach not only nurtures resilience but also instills confidence, creating a supportive environment conducive to the child's successful navigation of separation anxiety.”
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Explaining further, Dr Bhasin said, Comforting a child with separation anxiety is a tender journey for parents. You can introduce them to a comfort item like a toy or a cozy blanket to bring familiarity to their moments away from you. It is important that you validate their feelings and share emotions.”
Also read: Do You Yell At Your Child When They Throw Tantrums? Experts List Parenting Tips To Follow
Conclusion
Dr Bhasin concluded, “To alleviate separation anxiety in children, gradual exposure, reassuring routines, and open communication while parting are essential. Through these strategies, parents construct a supportive environment, laying the foundation for their child's emotional well-being and a brighter future.”