ROUTINE TO ALLAY FEARS OF ANXIETY

MORE than one-quarter of parents are concerned about separation anxiety as the school year starts, with experts urging them to re-establish routines and stability.

It comes as child behaviour problems and emotional distress are up 23 per cent and 70 per cent respectively when compared to the preCOVID-19 period, according to research commissioned by the Triple P parenting program.

Meanwhile, research conducted by Spacetalk shows more than 25 per cent of parents are concerned about separation anxiety in 2021.

However, more than twothirds of parents say they want their child to have the same kind of freedom they did growing up, with 67 per cent saying they would give their child more freedom if they could contact them more easily.

Gold Coast mum of three, Marian Ridderhof (pictured) said there were always concerns around safety for children, with her eldest using a watch to connect parents and children without the distraction of a mobile phone.

“We’ve been off school for almost eight weeks so while that can feel long I know it will make it even harder when they go back as I’m used to being with them all the time and all of a sudden they will have their own schedules and I worry that they are safe,” she said.

“My concern also this year is with my son in pre-Prep … I think there will be a fair few tears from him and I.

“It’ll also be quite a quick drop-off because schools want to make sure people aren’t around not socially distancing.”