Embracing the Journey: Understanding Separation Anxiety in Early Childhood and the Role of Parental Anxiety
Parents can exacerbate or even cause separation anxiety through their own.
Separation anxiety is a normal part of early childhood development, as children begin to form attachments to their caregivers and navigate the world around them. While it can be difficult to see your child experiencing distress during separations, it's essential to understand that this is a typical developmental stage. However, it's also crucial to recognize the impact of parental anxiety on separation anxiety, as our own fears and anxiousness can inadvertently exacerbate the issue. In this blog post, we'll explore the normalcy of separation anxiety in early childhood and discuss how parental anxiety can contribute to the problem, supported by research studies.
Separation Anxiety: A Normal Developmental Stage
Separation anxiety usually starts to manifest around the age of 8-14 months and can continue into the preschool years. It's a sign that your child is forming healthy attachments and developing a sense of self (Ainsworth & Bowlby, 1991). During this stage, children may become upset when separated from their primary caregivers, as they begin to understand object permanence and realize that their caregivers still exist even when not in sight.
The Role of Parental Anxiety
While separation anxiety is a normal part of early childhood development, it's important to recognize that parental anxiety can exacerbate the issue. Research has shown that parents who display anxiousness or fear during separations can unintentionally contribute to their child's heightened anxiety (Murray, Creswell, & Cooper, 2009). Children can pick up on these emotions and become more distressed themselves, creating a feedback loop where the parent's anxiety heightens the child's anxiety, and vice versa (Rapee, 1997).
Building Confidence and Security
To help mitigate separation anxiety, it's essential for parents to project confidence and reassurance during drop-offs and other separation moments. By staying calm and composed, you can create a sense of security for your child, which can help ease their anxiety (Dallaire & Weinraub, 2005). Additionally, establishing predictable routines and rituals around separations can provide further comfort and stability for your child.
Gradual Exposure to Separations
To help your child adjust to separations, it's helpful to introduce gradual and incremental experiences apart. This can begin with short separations within the home, such as leaving your child in a safe space while you step into another room. As your child becomes more comfortable with brief separations, you can gradually increase the duration and distance, allowing them to build confidence and resilience (Thompson, 1998).
Seeking Support and Self-Care
Managing your own anxiety around separations is an essential aspect of helping your child cope with separation anxiety. Seeking support from friends, family, or a professional can provide valuable guidance and reassurance (Ginsburg, 2009). Additionally, engaging in self-care practices such as exercise, mindfulness, or hobbies can help you maintain your own emotional well-being, making it easier to project calm and confidence during separations.
While separation anxiety is a normal part of early childhood development, it's crucial to recognize the role that parental anxiety can play in exacerbating the issue, as supported by research studies. By understanding the normalcy of separation anxiety, projecting confidence and reassurance, gradually exposing your child to separations, and seeking support for your own emotional well-being, you can help your child navigate this developmental stage and build resilience for the future.
References:
Ainsworth, M. D. S., & Bowlby, J. (1991). An ethological approach to personality development. American Psychologist, 46(4),