When you’re ready for a day or night out of the house, the last thing you
need is to feel guilty for leaving your little one home alone. When your Keiki
Sitters childcare expert has arrived and you are heading out the door, don’t
let your child’s separation anxiety hold you back. There are several techniques
you can use to make saying goodbye to your keiki a smoother experience.
Have an adjustment period
Giving your keiki time to adjust to the sitter can be a
wonderful transition from spending time with you to spending time with the
sitter. Arrange for the sitter to arrive 1 hour early and play with your child
while you are home. Your keiki will see that you are comfortable with and
trusting of the sitter, so they will see the sitter as a fun playmate that can
be trusted, rather than as a stranger.
Don’t say goodbye
Rather than saying goodbye and drawing your child’s
attention to the fact that you’re leaving, slip out the door while the sitter
distracts your child in another room. Your child will not noticed you left when
he or she is happily busy with the fun activity the sitter has planned.
Sitter on stand-by
If you prefer to say goodbye, have the sitter be prepared
with books, music, and something your child is easily entertained by ready for
when your keiki begins to cry. This approach usually calms keiki in only 5
minutes.
What other ideas do you have to ease separation anxiety?
Share them with us, and we’ll pass them along to our sitters!
