Please Don’t Go: Alleviating Separation Anxiety

Written by Dr. Charles Sophy


Continued from page 1

•Ignore your child’s feelings: Your child may display feelings of anxiety or sadness. Don’t ignore or devalue their feelings aboutrepparttar separation process

•Give in or give up: Clarifyrepparttar 140565 conflicts and work out a resolution. Don’t give in torepparttar 140566 “I’m not going to summer camp” or “I’m not going to school” threats. •Underestimate impact effects of change: Children are creatures of routine. Your child has been following a set routine forrepparttar 140567 entire school year. Don’t underestimaterepparttar 140568 effect that summer holidays, illnesses, vacations, and deaths can have on a child’s routines.

•Forget about age appropriate behavior: Don’t expect your child to exhibit adult behaviors when dealing with their anxieties. And don’t tolerate any age inappropriate behavior (such as when your nine year old starts talking like a toddler!).

When to reach out

Keep an eye out forrepparttar 140569 following signs that your child may be experiencing separation anxiety. Most separation anxiety can be solved by increased communication with your child.

•Increased closeness at home etc.

•Increased irritability and/or tantrums

•Decreased desire to socialize

•Changes in sleep

•Changes in appetite

Remember: You arerepparttar 140570 expert when it comes to your family and child. If you have a concern, trust your instinct and find someone trained to help you. Discuss your concerns with friends and family, too. You don't need to worry alone!

Dr. Charles Sophy currently serves as Medical Director for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. He also has a private psychiatry practice in Beverly Hills, CA.

Dr. Charles Sophy, author of the “Keep ‘Em Off My Couch” blog, provides real simple answers for solving life’s biggest problems. He specializes in improving the mental health of children. To contact Dr. Sophy, visit his blog at http://drsophy.com.


10 Things You Can Do To Help A Shy Child.

Written by Bridget Mwape


Continued from page 1

5. Take your child's ideas seriously. By lesseningrepparttar importance of a child's concerns you lessenrepparttar 140542 child.

6. Help your child identify talents and hobbies that make him or her feel special.

7. Seek out activities that offer an opportunity for growth and increased interaction with other children of his or her age. Encourage your child to get involved in activities with others. Don't allow too many isolating activities, like watching TV.

8. Never push your child to do things he or she would find unbearable. Rather, make suggestions, but realize your child may not be ready. Be patient.

9. You need not handle your shy child with kid gloves, but be aware of how he feels and show that you understand.

10. Seek qualified professional help if necessary.

Being shy doesn't have to mean that something is wrong with your child. It simply means that your child is uncomfortable in social situations. You can start your search for help by reading books, talking with other parents of shy children, taking classes, searching for information onrepparttar 140543 web or by speaking with your pastor. But if your child needs immediate help it's best to consult a qualified child counsellor. You can read some more articles about parenting at: http://www.baby-shop.org.uk/guide/

Copyright © 2005, Bridget Mwape writes for the Baby Shop UK: http://www.baby-shop.org.uk/ which features baby information including articles and discounts on baby products, gifts and advice from other parents. This article may be republished as long as all the above links are active and clickable.


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