Why Your Little One Can't Say Goodbye?

Separation anxiety is a common and normal occurrence in children, especially when they are a toddler or in their preschool years. It is a natural response to being separated from a primary caregiver, and it typically begins to manifest around the age of 8 to 10 months. While separation anxiety is a normal part of child development, it can also be a source of stress and discomfort for both the child and the caregiver.

There are several possible causes of separation anxiety in children tha are mentioned below:

• Biological factors: Separation anxiety in kids can also be a result of an imbalance in two chemicals (norepinephrine and serotonin) present in the brain. The imbalance results in poor emotion regulation and heightened stress responses to lower-level dangers and triggers.

• Environmental factors: Kids who have experienced significant changes or disruptions in their environment, such as moving to a new home or starting a new school, may be more prone to separation anxiety as they have hard times during the transitions from a comfort zone to a safe space.

• Parental factors: Kids who have overly anxious or deal with controlling parents, may be more likely to develop separation anxiety. Why? Because they suffer from a feeling of not being good enough to manage the challenges in their environment and social situations.

• Temperament: Some kids may be more prone to separation anxiety due to their individual temperament (including mood, activity level and, emotional reactivity), personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness to experience) or attachment styles (including secure, anxious, avoidant and disorganized attachment).

• Trauma: Kids who have experienced trauma or abuse may be more likely to develop separation anxiety as a result. The reason is the kid wants to stick to their caregiver for safety and security.

In these difficult situations, all your kid wants is your support, love and validation. A hug when your kid is scared, a simple “it’s okay to feel this way” when they are crying or feeling agitated will go a long way.

We wish you happy parenting!