Tips for Parents for Your Separation Anxiety Now that Kids are Back in School

• Distract yourself before the time of school and realize that all children have to grow up and go to school.
• Do some reading about how difficult it is for parents who have adult kids who are not independent to get a reality check on how difficult it is as a child gets older to create independence and separation if you don't start young.
• Keep your anxiety under the radar, if you're worried that your child will have a difficult transition, keep it to yourself, if she thinks you're nervous, she will be too.
• Realize that setting up the best plan for your child's morning transition to school is all you can do. Follow the steps below to do that.
• Remember that you transitioned well as a child and now you are an adult and your child will as well.
• Talk to your friends and get support but acknowledge that your fears are irrational, although important, they are not based in reality—your child will be fine going off to school.

To help your children, you will need to help yourself-take the following steps:

• On Sundays, don’t bring up going back to school tomorrow—over focusing on it can could heighten anxiety.
• Have your child meet some classmates in advance at a bus stop or local playground, where they can begin to play at a place they are comfortable and enjoy.
• Know the school routine, be on time for drop off and pick up; even if you are anxious by nature, rushing because of poor planning will only increase their anxiety.
• Pack something familiar and comforting in his backpack as a reminder of home and that you are thinking of him, but don’t mention it in advance. Don’t give items that make him feel younger like “stuffies”.
• Make the goodbye a matter of fact non issue, like you’ll see him in an hour, the less you hype about it, the less he will.
• Leave once he’s with his class or assigned person; the more you hang, the harder it is for him to separate. Leave as fast as you can if necessary plan for having to be somewhere else.
• Don’t overdo the welcome home or pick up-be nonchalant, matter of fact is the best, for addressing anxiety in kids.