BTDT-seperation anxiety

If your child had or has seperation anxiety what did you dd/ds do? Did he cry when you left the room? Avoided new people?

At what age does it usually appear?

My heart is aching because Antonio has started to do something everytime I come home from work. At first I tought it was cute but now it really breaks my heart.

When I get home from work as soon as he spots me he greets me with a huge smile. In an instant he starts to cry and scream hysterically until I pick him up. I sometimes have to sneak into the house and wash my hands before he sees me. After i pick him up he puts his head down on my shoulder and sighs and complains and hugs me really hard. This will last about 5 minutes and then he is fine. I guess it is not really a problem but it breaks my heart that he is so upset when I return as if he has been waiting for me all day.

My heart really hurts when I think about it.

Re: BTDT-seperation anxiety

I like the avg age this begins is about 8 months old...


Ryan started showing minor signs of this at the gtg....(not letting me put him down, head on the shoulder.... watching my every move)

I thought it was just because there were so many unfamilar faces.... but Im noticing it a little more when I go to work...

He dosent cry... but he does get very clingy....
Not sure if its the beg. of sep. anxiety... or just teething at this point...


But from what Ive seen working in a daycare... 8 means seems to be the avg.

Re: BTDT-seperation anxiety

8 months is when it starts.

You can help him a little bit by playing peekaboo or playing games with him like talking to him from the other room, pop up & surprise him, etc. Once he realizes you you're still there, it may ease his anxiety.

Re: BTDT-seperation anxiety

At my daycare all the kids are around Bella's age 8-9 months old. I have noticed a few of them have started experiencing this and asked the woman who watches Bella. She said it starts around 8 months...and I read this as well and that it lasts as long as 2 years!

Bella hasn't really done this yet and I am just waiting for the day...she does get mad though when we go to pick her up and don't go straight to her...I am just dreading the leaving part

Re: BTDT-seperation anxiety

We are going through the same thing and I am a SAHM so don't feel like it has anything to do with you working. Maybe working is a good thing because dealing with it 24/7 is driving me insane!

I cannot do anything without her screaming and I mean screaming, blood curdling screams if I leave the room, put her down to play and sit on the couch next to her, etc. Sleep time has become horrible too. I keep trying to reassure her that I am still there and I will come right back but it's not helping.

I think part of it too is that we were on vacation and she got constant attention and had daddy around all the time so now that we're back home and back to our routine she isn't liking it.

If anyone finds the miracle cure please let me know. It seems like once you conquer one obstacle here comes another. Yesterday all I kept thinking was I don't think I can do this again with another baby.

Re: BTDT-seperation anxiety

Marissa jsut started this she is almost 21 months and she just started this since she has been in daycare she cries. She has gotten use to daycare now so she will still fuss a little but as soon as we are gone she is fine

Re: BTDT-seperation anxiety

Re: BTDT-seperation anxiety

Thanks for your responses I guess every age has a stage and once one thing is passed another arises.

The strange thing is that he does not do it when I leave...he does it when I get back. Maybe that's next