Apparently, time is also essential in overcoming separation anxiety in child. This type of overwhelming fear in children occurs whenever they feel that their parents are “nowhere in sight.” Child-like behavior like crying and occasional tantrums may be considered manifestations that you and your child have established “a healthy connection.” It is best to look at these behavior as your child's way of asking for your help or seeking your attention.
However, medical experts advise that, even in the early stages of separation anxiety, proper interventions must be made. Some studies indicate that leaving this disorder to chance or neglecting it could could bring about illness and other negative effects on the child.
In this light, let us study how the proper use and observance of time can help children overcome separation anxiety. According to studies, this overwhelming fear most likely manifests in a child from the eighth month to its first year of growth. The child's ability to identify and determine the presence of parents is crucial. Leaving the baby or the child in a day care center may also expose them to other fears or heighten their anxiety because of the greater number of strangers in those places.
It is also helpful to know that every child needs time for dependence and independence from their parents. But the distinction of allowing children to be dependent, and then allowing them to learn to become independent is very important. Parents who unknowingly make strong attachments or loose attachments with their children influence the development of this form of anxiety. At this juncture, parents get confused as to whether they will gradually let go of their children or encourage more attachments. This scenario, instead of helping the children, would just complicate the separation anxiety.
One good advice to follow is to never leave children in a distressed state. Whenever a child has adverse feelings of hunger, restlessness, and sadness – it is not practical to leave them. It would just agitate the child's feeling. Whenever you are left with no choice but to leave your child to a baby-sitter or any family member, it is advisable that you let them associate with the child first. Letting the baby have quality time with the baby-sitter would allow them to have their own special relationship --- which would then allow you to gradually reduce your baby's demand for attention. When you need to go, your child will be all right even when you're not around. It is advisable to let them have fun with other children with you by their side. In a gradual phase, this will help your children to be more self reliant and, in effect, become successful in getting rid of separation anxiety.
Indeed, with our children, whether it is the act of rearing them or helping them deal with anxiety --- “there's no moment to lose.”
