Crying for Mommy!

We all must, at some point, separate from each other. People leave for work, kids leave for school, and people pass away. Separation is normal and so is the anxiety that it causes within us. As adults we should have the tools to deal with the anxiety of separation and, if we don't, we can always seek to learn those skills. Children, however, don't have the ability to make the choices that adults can make or process information like we can; therefore they need our help and experience to guide them. It would be impossible to address all forms of separation anxiety in a quick blog, so I'll address a specific type that affects millions of families throughout the world. Divorce can reduce stress in a relationship, but can also add stress, depending on how mature the adults act. Children, however, have a hard time understanding the need for the separation and often blame it on themselves or feel guilty that they didn't, somehow, prevent the divorce. The emotions created during the failing relationship, throughout the divorce, and afterward can be turned to the negative or positive. It is the parents' job to guide the child(ren) through the process of translating their emotions into words so that they may communicate how they feel. Separation anxiety usually occurs when one parent is “dropping off” or one is “picking up” the child(ren) for their “time”. If this happens with your children, drop by Down the Slide in a couple of days for solutions to separation anxiety that may work for your child(ren). You may also shoot me a comment or question and some information about your family situation and I'll do my best to provide more personal solutions.