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Sunday, August 3, 2008

Separation Anxiety

It's official. Alex is suffering from an extreme case of separation anxiety. We've tried everything we could think of...including attending second service to grant access to a more age appropriate class that is not available first service.


This morning, hubster and I attempted to leave Alex in his class at church. He did just fine until we said "See you in a little bit." At that moment...and apparently for the next 2o minutes, he cried hysterically. I was paged only 3 church songs later and found my son in a bucket of tears. He couldn't even catch his breath from crying so hard.


I felt sick to my stomach. How could I have done this to him? I'm sure he'll never forgive me for this.


I'm officially lost. I have no idea what to do. I was even one thought away from determining I should just stay home with him and listen to church on the podcast from now on.


(huff)


I know, with a little patience, we will get through this. I just wish Alex could have stayed content to be held and hold his lovey on Sunday mornings. And until I figure out what to do, I don't think he'll be visiting the kids in his classroom.



5 comments:

  1. We're having the same issue with our daughter -- she can't be in the service with us (too young to quietly sit still) but she freaks out in the nursery and her class.

    Sigh.

    Anyway, have a fantastic Monday!
    (visiting from Mom Bloggers Club)

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  2. From one that was on the other side of it (preschool teacher) the advice that I gave one of my parents that was going through the same thing (an no, you're not alone in this) is that it truly is a phase and they will grow out of it. Could be a quick phase could be a long one. Either way I found that the best way for the child to adjust is for the parent to just leave as soon as the child was engaged. Don't say a word. I know it's hard (believe me it was with my own son) but it does work. Also needed is some very patient workers. I also believe that the worse thing to do is to give up.

    Hang in there! You both will get through it.

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  3. I know that I've left quite a few comments today but I just wanted to leave one more to let you know that I've subscribed to your feed. That way I can keep up with your blog.

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  4. We had this issue with my girl. I can assure she did get over it! I think there were a few reasons. Something more subtle, but effective, I would leave her alone for a few minutes. So if I was doing laundry, rather then wait till she's asleep, I'd make sure all the gates were up, tell her where I was going and that I'd be right back, then go to the basement, do what I do, and come back. You start with a few seconds and then work up to a few minutes. Part of the anxiety, especially with SAHMS is that they are literally with us every second of every day! I'd be upset too! I also took her regularly to the babysitter room at the YMCA while I was working out, so that helped her get used to it. And lastly, just as Kim said, I didn't coddle her when I dropped her off. I got down on her level and said, "Mommy is going to work out, I will be back soon, have fun, I love you." Kiss and bye bye. No looking back. It was rough! But I think it's worse dragging it out when you are still going to leave anyway. Especially since I knew full well that she'd stop crying with a minute of my departure. Hope that helps some. Good luck!

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  5. Oh my! My name is Amy and I just did a post on separation Anxiety too! You don't have a 16 month old do you?

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