To ask how you deal with separation anxiety

[Moomoomango]

My 5 year old ds has severe seperatiom anxiety - and is really distressed about going to school at the moment. I know it's not school that's upsetting him as he says things like "I'll go to school and you stand in the playground so I can see your face every now and then" or "can you become the teacher" - from the moment he came home yesterday to the moment he went to bed he kept repeating "please don't send me to school tomorrow"

I feel so bad for him I just want to cuddle him up and whisk him away but I'm staying strong and being really positive about it all in front of him.

How am I meant to be doing this? What tips have you all got?

Thank you!

Have you tried role playing leaving him? Bottom lining it? Promising that you will be there to pick him up? Only thing that worked on my DCs was breezily waving and running off as soon as they were in the door. They all trot in happily now though!
Good luck.

No personal experience, but I've read about it working: could you give him a little 'placemarker' - something small and personal that he can have at school without disrupting the class that will remind him of you. It will be a tangible reminder that you are coming back and something that he can keep with him to make him feel 'safe' until hometime.

With dd I just used to get there as the doors was opening and a quick goodbye and see you after school, eventually she got used to it.

I wouldn't say it would work on all children or it was down to pure luck