Separation anxiety is fairly common in the toddler and preschool years. It is most likely to happen in response to the start of a new school year as it is a change in caregivers, setting, peer activity and schedule all at once. Goodbye rituals can be helpful. When my girls were little we had two … Continue reading Separation Anxiety Tips (from CDS with notes for other schools)
At some point, most children go through a phase of not wanting to go to school. For others, that push can ebb and flo for years. My younger daughter, Claire, has always had a difficult time going back after the Winter Break. There were tears in January throughout elementary school. Smooth, calm morning – I … Continue reading What to Do When Your Child Says “I Don’t Wanna Go to School”
Whether your child is starting at a new preschool or elementary school, the first day can be daunting. There are several things you can do over the summer months to help prepare for the first day. Visit the school’s website – Explore the website with your child. Point out pictures of happy children and read … Continue reading Starting at a New School this Fall?
It is normal for young children to experience some level of separation anxiety at the start of a new school year. It often represents a change in caregiver, schedule, setting and classmates. As a parent, it makes sense to prepare yourself for some upset, and be pleasantly surprised if it is an easy transition. Take … Continue reading Tips for Separation at the Start of the School Year
Dear Dr. Rene, My husband was recently on a two month work trip (which will be a frequent occurance). My almost three-year-old son is a fairly emotional child and has always been very attached to me, although we had made significant progress in the past with him being okay with Daddy doing bedtime and being … Continue reading Push Back to Dad Traveling for Work
Dear Dr. Rene, I am traveling alone at the early part of December and again in January. The first trip is to visit my sister who is ill and following treatment. The second trip is work related. I will be gone a week for each trip and have only been away from the girls once before. They … Continue reading Traveling Away from Children
Whenever I have new children who have separation concerns in my programs, I give the parents two choices about how to move forward. While this is all flexible, I have found that some variation of the two plans seems to work well for all. Option 1 – The Parent Goes – Following this plan the … Continue reading Approaches to Separation Anxiety
Parent Question: I have two-and-a-half year old twins who are experiencing separation issues. One has separation anxiety from me during the day, and the other one at night (meaning he wants me to hold, rock, or sleep with him all night long). It started a few weeks ago and each subsequent night has gotten worse. … Continue reading Separation Issues Question
Dear Dr. Rene, My five and six year old children are going to be staying with their grandparents for two months while we move our household and set up our new house in Germany. How do we keep this separation a positive experience and let them know they haven’t been abadoned? Sincerely, Sybil Mother of … Continue reading Extended Stay with Grandparents
Dear Dr. Rene, My daughter will be four in September and has never participated in any program away from me. She is very resistant to the idea, but will be starting preschool in the fall. Is it okay for preschool to be her first experience away from me, or should I force the issue this … Continue reading Preschool and Separation
Parenting by Dr. Rene 