When your toddler was an infant going to a sitter was not a problem. Babies usually handle going to a new caregiver as long as their needs are being met. Then there is the shock when you go and drop off your one year old and she starts to scream even if the baby sitter has watched her for a while This is a common scenario. At some point between 8 months and 2 1/2 years of age, most children experience separation anxiety to some degree. Understanding the underlying causes can help you cope with separation anxiety and help your child overcome it.

What Causes Separation Anxiety?
Your baby begins to realize that objects do not disappear if they are out of sight around 6 months of age. However it also brings the worries that something that goes away may not come back all things include his parents.
So when you drop your child off with his caregiver, he may get very upset even if he has been going to the same caregiver for some time without incident. Some parents panic and see this as cause for alarm. But if there are no other indications of problems, it is probably a case of separation anxiety.

How to Cope
When your child is between 8 months and a year if possible try to avoid taking him to a new childcare provider. With this being the time frame that the separation anxiety usually begins to appear. Although it will likely show itself even with familiar caregivers, switching to a new one at this sensitive time could make things much worse.

Telling your child when you will be back in terms that he can understand may help to alleviate his fears. He probably can’t tell time yet, so he’ll need something other than a number of hours. Tell him you’ll be back after lunch or naptime gives him a familiar event judge time. Do your best to stick to your word and be back exactly when you said you would lets him know that he can count on what you tell him.

Sneaking off when the child is not looking usually makes things worse. Even if your child is crying, telling him goodbye and meaning it is the best approach. Once you’ve left, it’s not a good idea to come back to check on him. Instead making phone call 15-20 minutes later can ease your fears while avoiding a second meltdown.

Separation anxiety affects most toddlers at some point. It is just part of growing up. Remaining calm, saying goodbye, and leaving when the time comes will help your child adjust. Setting a time to be back and sticking to it will alleviate his fears and build confidence.