I’ve written a few blogs on this subject, but am experiencing it anew as my daughter grows up and away. Or maybe she is all grown up. It is hard to break the habit of thinking of our children as children, even in the face of ever-mounting evidence to the contrary. She now lives in another state with the love of her life. He is wonderful. She is wonderful. They are wonderful together. It feels … Read more
What a huge topic! I remember reading, when my daughter Sara was a baby in the early 1980’s, that a child’s first act of separation was when they lean away from you while you’re holding them. There are probably even earlier acts, but this really stuck in my mind. What an idea! My early instincts as a parent told me this was what was supposed to happen. I still believe that. It comes with a … Read more
The playgroup year begins next week. Most of the kids have never been part of a group consisting of their peers. And most have not been without a parent, nanny or babysitter for hours at a time, on an ongoing basis. It is impossible to know before the group begins how any one of the children will react to this new situation. Therefore, I don’t have a formula. This may be disappointing to some parents. … Read more
Separation is loaded for all of us. For some of us there is guilt. Am I hurting my child by spending time away from him or her? Will they feel abandoned? Being aware of the thoughts and feelings you are having as parents becomes a powerful tool. Just noticing what you’re feeling as you drop your child off at a playgroup, or leave your child with her or his nanny or babysitter will give you … Read more