For many children, preschool is the first time they have left their parents for a long period of time. This can leave both parents and children feeling anxious, and many children suffer from separation anxiety during this period. Unfortunately, this is often a hard stage for everyone involved. Your child may sob, cry or tantrum, and leave you feeling dreadful for leaving them. This is a stage your child will need to go through, however, so following some simple steps and persevering will mean your child will soon love preschool, and you’ll be a much more relaxed parent.
Trust your child’s preschool. This is a very important step. Preschool staff will have dealt with this before, and will have tricks to distract your child and help them to settle. These will only work after you have left, however, so you need to believe that your child will be fine, and listen to what the preschool teacher advises.
Say goodbye, and leave. This is much, much harder than it sounds, so you may need to practise. Take your child to their room, hand them over to a teacher, and say goodbye. Tell them you’ll be back later, and give them any comforters they may need, and leave. Lingering or delaying will only make your child more upset, and harder to calm down. Once you’ve left, have a cry in your car or at home if you need too, but remember your child is likely to be fine now you have gone, and the preschool would have phoned you if they needed you. Make a strict routine, and stick with it. Your child will learn what is going to happen, and this will help them cope with their feelings.
Remember that separation anxiety is a stage, you will both get through it, and be strong. It’s all worth it in the end!
