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Expert Q&A
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| By Kate Cohen-Posey Therapist | ||
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My 3-year-old son is experiencing horrible separation anxiety. What can I do?
Although it is a difficult idea for parents to grasp, keep in mind that it is good for children to cry. It is a way for them to release their fear and anxiety. Make sympathetic comments when he cries like, "It's very hard to be 3." "It's hard for you to FEEL SAFE when mommy isn't near by." "I wonder what worries you when you can't see mommy." Playing peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek is a good way of dealing with separation anxiety at this age. At home make a chart and use a timer to show increasing lengths of time you child can play by himself. Use a little reward each time he breaks his record. Usually after a few days of solid crying at preschool, kids learn that they can be a part from parents. If the school feels like they can handle it, he is probably fine. If the school feels it is a continuing problem, you may need to make arrangements with a relative or some other familiar person or seek help from a therapist.
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