{"id":292,"date":"2009-08-11T17:07:00","date_gmt":"2009-08-11T17:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/parentingzoo.com\/members\/?p=292"},"modified":"2009-07-14T02:22:17","modified_gmt":"2009-07-14T02:22:17","slug":"how-a-special-goodbye-routine-can-help-separation-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parentingzoo.com\/members\/?p=292","title":{"rendered":"How a Special Goodbye Routine Can Help Separation Anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When school starts, and you’re sending off a new student on her first day a full day school, you may have to deal with separation anxiety. If you have other children you may be an old pro at this. However, if this is your first child, you may want to know how a special goodbye routine can help separation anxiety for you and your child.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll want to prepare your child for their first day of school by taking them by to visit well ahead of their first day. This will let them see where they\u2019ll be for a good part of the day, allow them to meet their teacher, see where they\u2019ll sit, and become familiar with the layout of the school. You can also prepare them by creating a special goodbye routine that only the two of you share.<\/p>\n

A goodbye routine can be anything you both agree upon. A kiss on the cheek followed by a pat on the back; it can also be a hug and a \u201cgo get \u2018em tiger\u201d before they get out of the car. Anything that can ease their, and your, apprehension will do the trick. Don\u2019t forget to say \u201cI love you\u201d and let them know you\u2019ll be there to pick them up at the end of the day.<\/p>\n

Why is a goodbye routine an idea to consider? The truth is, despite your best efforts to convince them otherwise, your child may be scared that you won\u2019t return after you drop them off at school. Some degree of separation anxiety is to be expected, particularly if your child is on the younger side of school age. Here are other things you can do to ease the anxiety:<\/p>\n

* Try not to talk about how your child will be without you during the school day. In fact, doing so may increase the difficulty for both of you.<\/p>\n

* Smile and act as normal as possible as you\u2019re walking them to class. Talk about how excited it is to be going to school and what a great day they\u2019ll have. Be sure to tell them goodbye using your special goodbye routine.<\/p>\n

* To make separation easier for them, give them something of yours, or a photo of you, to keep during the day. If they start missing you they can look at your picture or the object and it\u2019ll bring a smile to their face.<\/p>\n

* Practice runs can be helpful. Take your child to a friend\u2019s or to grandma\u2019s house and leave them there while you go out to run errands. This will help them learn that you may leave but that you\u2019ll always return for them.<\/p>\n

* Plan how you can separate easily. Walk them to class their first day and plan to stick around for a few minutes. When you realize your child isn\u2019t fixated on you, turn and walk away calmly.<\/p>\n

* Stay strong for them. If they see you cry they\u2019ll be more likely to follow suit. Try to hold back the tears until you\u2019re in the privacy of your own car.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s normal for children to have some separation anxiety when school starts. Learn how a special goodbye routine can help separation anxiety. Before long, you may find your child eagerly looking forward to school and spending time with their new friends.<\/p>\n

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