Hot Topics     Home and Family     K-12     Education Guide    

Separation anxiety for parents



How to navigate the unease of your kids returning to school

How to navigate the unease of your kids returning to school


Careful what you wish for. Parents who rejoiced to learn their kids’ school was once again having on-site teaching in the era of Covid may be unpleasantly surprised to learn their new freedom comes with a price: separation anxiety.

According to clinical psychologist Ilyse Dobrow DiMarco, Ph.D., this is normal and, thankfully, treatable. She would know: in Motherly.com, she writes about her own experiences as a mother of two who, like many parents last March, was forced to become a stay-at-home parent and early child educator overnight. Suffice to say, it was taxing, and she looked forward to it being over.

However, a few weeks into getting her wish, DiMarco writes: “When my sons leave in the morning, I feel unsettled and twitchy. I try to focus on work but my mind drifts to what my kids might be doing and whether they're being safe, knowing that I have zero control over this.”

Upon realizing she is, in fact, experiencing symptoms of separation anxiety, DiMarco reaches out to expert child psychologist Dr. Rebecca Schrag Hershberg, author of The Tantrum Survival Guide. In an effort to help other parents suffering similarly, they’ve adapted strategies for kids with difficulty separating from their parents to tips for helping parents who have difficulty separating from their kids.

READ MORE: 10 activities to encourage mindfulness

Among other tips, they advise mindfulness, rather than fighting the anxiety, accept it and let it “wash over you like a wave.” Accept that you have no control. Also, speaking of mindfulness, in the same way kids take cues from you, you can now take cues from them. For example, if they’re outwardly chilling, you can probably tap into that.

Acknowledging connection is another strategy. Leave notes in backpacks, get identical temporary tattoos. Also, be on the lookout for your own reassurance seeking. In the same way kids with separation anxiety might repeatedly ask questions, a parent with separation anxiety might feel compelled to pepper a child with questions about their day. Apparently, this not only annoys kids, it also actually contributes to parental separation anxiety.

Hang in there!



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Understanding 'Warning Strokes'

    What to expect if you experience stroke symptoms, even if they disappear

    Diagnosing a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a “warning stroke,” can be challenging because symptoms often disappear within an hour. However, it’s important to seek emergency assessment to help prevent a full-blown stroke. read more »
  • Managing your family's year-round health

    Protect everyone from infectious diseases

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines help create protective antibodies that fight off infections. read more »
  • What to know about Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

    treatment can help control symptoms and improve quality of life

    Each year, an estimated 500-1,000 people nationwide are diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While there’s currently no cure, treatment can help control symptoms and improve quality of life. read more »
  • Bring back family bonding this fall

    3 ways to free up busy schedules to spend time with loved ones

    Busy fall schedules often leave little time for the things that matter most – sharing special moments with those you love. This year, as time seems to speed up during another school year, making family bonding a priority in your household can start with a few simple tricks. read more »
  • Top tips for a more organized kitchen

    Save time and money

    Better organization in the kitchen means spending less time searching for the right ingredient or tool so you can have more time for savoring meals with family and friends, and more time for personal pursuits. read more »
  • 6 small, kind gestures to make a big impact each day

    Performing acts of kindness improves individual well-being

    Everywhere you look, you can see moments of kindness. From a friend sending a thoughtful text message to a stranger holding the bus for someone running late or a person paying for someone else’s coffee, acts of kindness happen every day. read more »
  • Keeping babies safe

    Tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers

    Tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers for babies include safe sleeping habits, product recalls, baby proofing & car safety read more »
  • Tips to get tour student prepped for college entrance exams

    Help get your teen ready

    Is the SAT or ACT on the horizon for your high schooler? A lot of emphasis is placed on college entrance exams, and your child may be anxious about their scores. read more »
  • More than two-thirds of Americans plan to get a flu shot this season

    CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® encourage consumers to get an annual flu shot and stay up to date on routine vaccinations

    CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) is prepared to meet patients' vaccination and other preventive health care needs as flu season approaches. CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® are offering the annual flu vaccine at locations nationwide. CVS Pharmacy is also offering the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, which has been approved for adults ages 60 and up. read more »
  • 10 phrases to say to children every day

    Instill valuable life skills and boost their self-esteem

    As parents, you play a pivotal role in shaping your child’s character, confidence, and overall development. Every interaction is an opportunity to instill valuable life skills and boost their self-esteem. read more »