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Painful Partings
Helping Toddlers and Parents Cope with Separation Anxiety
By Katherine Bontrager
Parents should also remember that this will not last forever; in a few weeks' time their morning routine can change and parents can linger a bit, Giguere says. "So the rule of thumb is strict and short routine when the child is upset, loosey-goosey when the child is happy," she says.
And know that you can call and check in after you've left to make sure everyone has settled down. Giguere says that most daycare centers will call a parent if the child can't be distracted or comforted – so no child will be left to inconsolably scream for hours on end.
When you return, make sure you ask questions, Epstein says. "Ask, 'How long did he cry when I left this morning?'" she says. "The caregiver will most likely say 'Not long at all – one of the other kids arrived and he got distracted and he was fine the rest of the day.'"