Kimmy Schemy

Bea*, then 3, is a very pretty and smart kid. So, I was surprised when I saw her parents with her in the playschool.

After the usual pleasantries, I asked the parents if they want to wait outside and assured them that Bea is going to be fine. But they answered (almost in unison) that Bea has separation anxiety and that they couldn’t leave her even with friends and relatives. And that’s why they enrolled her in my class, to be exposed to other kids. I said ‘Oh, I see..’ So, I let them stay.

The same thing happened the next meeting. And the next. But on the 4th meeting, I asked them, as politely as I could, to please wait outside and assured them that I will let them in if I find it necessary.

Well, I wasn’t surprised when Bea didn’t even ask for them. Because right from the first meeting, I had a feeling that it was mommy and daddy who had separation anxiety and not Bea. They are the ones who are not used to keeping her out of their sight.

Why did I wait until the 4th meeting? On the 2nd meeting, I was observing Bea, and on the 3rd, I was observing the parents. Then on the 4th, I made my move. IT WORKED!

*not real name

Pictures courtesy of Mommy Liz

10 Responses to “A Teacher’s Journal: Who’s with Separation Anxiety?”