PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Separation anxiety is often associated with young kids heading off to day care or preschool, but this year, many older kids could also suffer.
The coronavirus pandemic forced students of all ages to stay home, away from the classroom and other kids. Now, many will finally be heading back to the school environment.
Dr. Katie Lockwood, a pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, said for some, it will be the first day of school all over again.
"Worrying that something bad will happen when they leave their parent. Worrying about losing a parent or guardian. Not wanting to be home alone without their parent there, for kids who are old enough to do that. Or, refusing to leave their parent when they go to an event.
"A lot of this is clinginess to parents," she said, "but there's also other signs — frequent complaints of bodily symptoms, stomachaches or headaches."
She suggests parents start getting their kids ready for the school environment now.
"Talking about what activities they'll be doing and starting to make preparations for that," she explained. "Who are they going to see — maybe meeting up with that person this summer to sort of ease into the transition.
"It's really hard to dive right back into things that seem scary. So, starting small, doing some small activities and events now and get together."
Lockwood urges parents to take the issue seriously and not dismiss their child's feelings, no matter the age. Separation anxiety is real, and this fall will be an issue for kids of all ages.
