Separation is tough. There’s nothing wrong with a child who cries at drop-off or clings when Mom heads off to work or delays leaving the house in anticipation of going to school. Remember, these behaviors are rooted in attachment. Children associate parental presence with safety, because their bodies tell them: “As long as your parent is near, you have protection.” In moments of separation, children must try to find feelings of security in a new environment or with a new caregiver or teacher, and that’s a tall order. It requires them to hold on to the feelings of safety that come from a
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