Shannon Philpott-Sanders

Single Mom and Separation Anxiety With an Only Child

Published March 2013: Mom.Me

Single Mom and Separation Anxiety With an Only Child
How to boost independence when it’s just the two of you

Article Excerpt:

It’s common for your toddler to cling to your leg when you leave for work, or a kindergartner to miss mommy while at school. However, separation anxiety can be even more difficult for only children and children raised by a single mom, says Dr. Wendy Rice, a licensed psychologist in Tampa, Florida. “Separation anxiety is a common phase during child development, in part due to innate fears that the parent may disappear if out of the child’s immediate sight,” says Rice. “If fear that the parent will disappear when the child leaves their side dominates, insecurity takes over and separation becomes a frightening and frustrating experience for both parent and child.”

As a single mom, it’s important to maintain a close relationship with your child while helping her cope with separation anxiety, using activities and strategies to help her gain independence when mom cannot be right by her side.

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– Shannon Philpott

March 1, 2013 - Posted by sphilpott | Feature Stories, Magazine Writing, Sample Work | only children, parenting, single moms with an only child, single parenting