Separation Issues and Clingy Kids

It is common for children to go through a clingy phase. For some kids, this means trouble separating at school or going to things like birthday parties. Other kids might even get worried about being in a different room from their parents at home, or just cling to one parent. And sometimes, kids who were separating just fine might start having a hard time again — especially after something like a winter break from school.

This week on childmind.org we are focusing on separation anxiety. We have advice about how parents can set the stage for a positive goodbye and tips for handling your own feelings of guilt and anxiety when you have to leave a child who is begging you to stay. We also take a look at when separation anxiety becomes a serious disorder — it can happen when kids are much older — and how to help kids who are feeling particularly worried about school or social events.