separation anxiety

[2486]

my dd1 is going through a really tough time at the moment, and i can't find a away to help her. She is very anxious and flies off the handle at the slightest thing. She talks about running away from school to come home to me and is alienating all her friends by her behaviour.

She is only 7 and we don't really know what has triggered this behaviour. she has always been a clingy child, but seemed to have grown out of it. it has been fairly stressful at school - they try to keep children unaware of SATS but she's not daft!!

We arranged a sleepover at my sisters house for tonight with dd2 and dd3 and nephew 1 and 2, and I've had to leave her screaming and sobbing because we have tickets booked for this evening and I can't take her with me. Also I want to spend some quality time with dh.

Is the best method to leave quickly as I have done in the past, or to give in to them when they are so upset (I have never done this, but am at my wits end)
Please help

Sympathies, my Dd is only 3 so I'm not sure what's good advice, but I would go for the leave quickly approach, and try and see if whats happened at school to trigger this. If you give in, if only occationally it will make her more clingy. I remember reading/hearing somewhere that the surest way of ensuring repeat behaviour is giving occational positive reinforcement. It's how they keep them all hooked at the casinos! Good luck

thanks for the support ozjo. she had a great time at my sister's once she'd calmed down (took her 5 minutes!!)the only trouble was, i was worried about her all night even though my sister rang to say she was fine!!

I think I might get her to write a letter to herself telling herself what a great time she had and then get her to read it next time she's screamimg because she doesn't want me to leave her!!(smile) (wink)

thanks for the support ozjo. she had a great time at my sister's once she'd calmed down (took her 5 minutes!!)the only trouble was, i was worried about her all night even though my sister rang to say she was fine!!

I think I might get her to write a letter to herself telling herself what a great time she had and then get her to read it next time she's screamimg because she doesn't want me to leave her!!