HOW DO I DEAL WITH CHILD’S ‘SEPARATION’ TANTRUMS?

SINCE lockdown ended, my six-year-old son throws tantrums when my partner or I are out of sight. What can we do?

THIS is something we normally see in pre-school-age children, but trauma can trigger such reactions in older children. I am sure lockdown will have induced this kind of separation anxiety for quite a few. The important thing is to be consistent with your approach. Ignore tantrums, as long as they are safe.

Take the opportunity to ‘leave’ them out of sight when they’re at their best, rather than at bad times such as near bedtime when they will be irritable. Offer lots of praise when they do stay calm, and perhaps use a reward chart such as stickers. Six-year-olds love stickers!

Basing your response on praising them, rather than giving too much oxygen to the tantrums, will go a long way.