Toddler Separation Anxiety Tips to Ease the Transition
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Toddler separation anxiety is a completely normal and expected part of toddler development. If fact between 8-10 months your baby will go through a normal developmental phase called stranger awareness. Your baby begins to recognize who his important people are and begins to show caution towards strangers. This is the start of separation anxiety. As your baby becomes a toddler his protests of being left in the care of anyone but his important people can became challenging. There are tips that you as a parent can do to help ease the transition.1. Ease your toddler into his new environment. Take your toddler to meet his new caregiver for a few visits and talk about all the positive things that your toddler will have to look forward by staying and playing there. Try to leave your toddler with his new caregiver for an hour or two a few times before you leave him all day. 2. Cry after you leave your toddler’s sight. What ever you do make your face and voice happy and positive. If you get teary eyed or act sad then your toddler’s going to pick-up on this and wonder if something bad is going to happen. 3. Don’t linger when you drop your toddler off. When a parent drags out the moment it can send signals to their toddler that they too are unsure about leaving him there. Smile, kiss him good bye and reassure him you will pick up later. 4. If your toddler has a special stuffed animal or blanket then let him bring it with him. Some children are comforted by the scent his parents wears. Adding a little of perfume or cologne to a blanket might help calm your toddler’s anxieties. 5. When you bring your toddler to his new daycare attempt to engage him in an activity before you slip out. If your toddler refuses to allow you to put him down you are going to have to allow his new caregiver to take him from you. Ask your new caregiver to take him and quickly attempt to draw his attention to something other then you leaving. Toddler separation anxiety can be a huge emotional guilt trip for most parents. The fact is, all parents must leave their children in the care of someone at some point. Helping your toddler to deal with his separation anxieties is a big part of helping your toddler grow toward independence.
Toddler Separation Anxiety (opens a new window)
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