- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preschoolers today articles
- preschoolers today q&a
- children today articles
- children today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
What About Mom and Dad?
Preparing Parents for Preschool By Gail Johnson
Although it is common for both child and parent to experience some separation anxiety during the preschool years, some parents will stop leaving their child because it is too traumatic for both of them. Peckels warns parents not to make that mistake. "Instead, [parents] should find trusting places to leave their child and they should do it more frequently for shorter periods of time," she says.
In the long run it is best for both parents and children if children have experiences beyond the parent. "Children need to learn that there are other people in the world that can take care of them – and parents need to learn that it's OK to have time without their child," Peckels says. "The more intense separation anxiety I've seen is usually a situation with an only child, and the mother and child haven't had a lot of experiences away from each other. If parents can build those experiences a little earlier and at their own rate it will be easier than doing it cold turkey at preschool time."
There are many ways parents can prepare for the first day of preschool: - Share with other parents. Talking to other parents about how difficult the transition is can be very helpful to parents. "It's important for parents to know they are not alone," says Peckels.
- Check out options. It also helps to look at different preschool options and programs. "Mothers should look for a perfect fit for their child," Peckels says. "They should start out with what's comfortable for both [parent] and child. Maybe a two-day a week program is better than three days."
