Navigating Parent-Child Separation Anxiety: 6 Ways to Ease Goodbyes
Separation anxiety is a common challenge for both parents and children when it’s time to say goodbye. Whether you’re heading to work, running errands, or just taking a well-deserved break, the moments leading up to leaving your little one can be emotional.
Rest assured, you’re not alone—many families experience this, and there are ways to make these goodbyes a bit easier.
Why Separation Anxiety Happens
Separation anxiety typically peaks between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, but older children can experience it too. It's a sign of healthy attachment, but it can make leaving for work or appointments tough for parents and kids alike. Understanding why it happens can help you approach it more calmly.
For children: They may fear that when you leave, you won’t come back. This is especially common in younger children who haven’t fully grasped the concept of time.
For parents: Leaving your child with someone else can trigger feelings of guilt or worry, even when you know they’re in good hands.
5 Strategies for a Smoother Goodbye
While it’s never easy to part ways, there are some strategies both you and your nanny can use to help ease separation anxiety.
Create a Routine: Children thrive on consistency. Establishing a set routine when saying goodbye can help them feel more secure. This might include a special goodbye phrase or ritual, like a hug and a wave from the window.
Keep Goodbyes Short: Lingering goodbyes can intensify anxiety. Once you’ve said your goodbyes, it’s important to leave confidently. This reassures your child that there’s no reason to be worried.
Introduce the Nanny Early: Allow your child time to get used to the nanny in a low-pressure situation. This might involve the nanny spending time with your family before an official babysitting session, allowing your child to build trust in a familiar, safe environment.
Use Comfort Items: If your child has a favourite toy, blanket, or stuffed animal, having this item with them during your absence can offer comfort.
Stay Calm and Positive: Children pick up on parental emotions. Staying calm and positive during goodbyes helps to convey to your child that everything will be okay.
How Your Nanny Can Help
Professional nannies, like those with Nannies on Call, are experienced in handling separation anxiety and helping both children and parents through it. Here’s how your nanny can make the transition easier:
Distraction Techniques: Nannies often use engaging activities to shift the child’s focus away from the goodbye. Fun games, toys, or outdoor play can ease the emotional tension.
Building Trust: A reliable nanny will form a bond with your child over time. This trust helps reassure your little one that they’re safe and cared for while you’re away.
Encouraging Independence: Nannies can work with your child on independent play and self-soothing techniques, building confidence over time.
Supporting Parents Through Separation Anxiety
It’s important to acknowledge that separation anxiety isn’t just a child’s experience. Parents, too, can feel anxious or even guilty about leaving their little ones.
Here are some ways to cope:
Trust Your Nanny: Having confidence in your nanny’s skills can greatly reduce your own anxiety. Knowing that your child is in capable, caring hands gives you peace of mind.
Plan a Check-In: While it’s important to give your child space to adjust, checking in with your nanny after a set amount of time can offer reassurance.
Take Time for Yourself: It’s normal to feel torn but remember that taking time away benefits both you and your child. A rested and recharged parent is better equipped to care for their child.
Separation is Normal, and It Gets Easier
Separation anxiety may feel overwhelming, but it’s a normal part of development, and with time and patience, it often improves. Establishing a consistent routine, maintaining a positive attitude, and working with a trusted nanny can make the experience more manageable for both parents and children.
If you live in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, or Ottawa and are looking for professional, experienced nannies to help with occasional childcare, Nannies on Call is here to help. Our occasional nannies are experts in supporting children and parents through these difficult moments, making sure your little ones feel safe and cared for when you’re not around.
Learn more about booking an occasional nanny with us today, and enjoy peace of mind knowing your child is in trusted hands.