Does your child have a hard time with new places?  Does the thought of separation, whether at your gym’s childcare center, day camp, kid’s church or the upcoming school schedule make your child anxious?

As a parent, your kid’s daily anxiety about separations can make new experiences and routine drop off’s feel exhausting.

You second guess yourself.

Your anxiety is heightened.

You feel guilty and frustrated when leaving.

Transitions are hard.  For some kids transitions are harder than for other kids.  But the good news is, there are ways to decrease anxiety and make transitions and separations smoother.

Consider trying these 2 ways to decrease your child’s separation anxiety level:

 

#1: Story

Use storytelling as a way to prepare your child for planned social transitions.  In order to decrease your child’s anxiety remember to include a description of when you plan to be separated, what it may feel like when you are apart, when you plan to “re-unite”.  

Don’t forget to problem solve for what to do in times of worry, what to remember, say to self or sing.

If you have a hard time creating stories for each situation utilizing books such as “The Kissing Hand” can normalize and problem solve for social anxiety in a 3rd person narrative.

#2: Songs

Utilize songs about feelings that may describe what your child is going through.  Sing songs that have a message of comfort such as Daniel Tiger’s “Grownups Come Back” or “Sometimes You Feel 2 Feelings At The Same Time and That’s OK” songs.

Sometimes issues of social anxiety in children need some outside help.  In those cases, finding a  trusted counselor who is trained to work specifically with anxious children and their parents can be just the help you need.  

If you or someone you know could use some outside help, please give us a call today!

Don’t parent alone!

Susan Stutzman

Susan Stutzman

Owner | Child Therapist | LCPC, RPT

Parenting is hard! But you don’t have to do it alone. I work with children and parents to resolve emotional conflict, cultivate healing, and nurture hope.
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