Separation anxiety can be truly heartbreaking when you see children having a breakdown because of it. It can be very difficult to stay calm when your toddler is having a kicking and screaming tantrum when you try to leave them at Day Care, PreSchool or even just at the baby sitters for an hour or two. Understanding what your child is going through and having a few coping strategies in mind can go a long way toward helping both of you get through it.

Staying calm is always key. But being prepared can make all the difference in the world. If you can make several visits to the new school or day care prior, it won’t be so unfamiliar. Always return when promised, specify a time when you will return and stick to it. Since most toddlers don’t really understand time, tell them you will be back after lunch or after story time. They will relate better to this than just saying you will be back at 2:00.

Practice being apart from each other, and introduce new people and places gradually. Remember it is normal for children to have separation anxiety, but the way you deal with it will determine how serious it becomes.