Separation Anxiety Books

My son started a new school earlier this fall and really loved going to the “new school” as he calls it. We had no problems dropping him off in the mornings — at first. After a few weeks he didn’t want to stay. “Don’t go to work Mommy,” he’d say. *crush my heart now*

I’d explain that I have to go to work and that Daddy would pick him up later in the day. It didn’t make it easier to leave him. My husband had a worse experience on days he had to do the drop off.

On a trip to the library I was looking for a new Curious George book and came across one called “Curious George Goes to School.” Perfect! It was the story of how Curious George went to school for the first time and his friend, The Man with the Yellow Hat came to pick him up. It gave me an opportunity to talk to my son about school and how we will always come pick him up. It really helped with the separation anxiety he was having.

I was recently given a preview copy of a new book written by a mom about this topic, “Oscar the Pig: Mommy Goes to Work,” by Megan Calhoun. It’s a sweet title about a pig whose Mommy goes to work. Oscar is left with a babysitter who takes him on a magical make-believe adventure to China. Of course, the Mommy returns at the end of the book, giving readers an opportunity to talk to his/her child about when parents leave, but always come back.

Try a book if your child is having a hard time being away from you. It worked for us and my heart is better for it.