separation anxiety in children

[AKE2012]

I need some advice. I have been a single parent for 5 years. My daughter is 8years old. Her dad has been in her life on and off for the last five years.
Lately she has been complaining of a sore tummy when it is time to go to school. She has been to the doctors and has no medical problem.

Anyway i spoke to the school to see if she had a problem there but i got a phone call today from them saying that nothing is wrong at school. Shes a popular child and everyone loves her. The teacher at school had a long talk with her said she thinks she has separation anxiety.

I dont know if its because she worries because i dont keep vry well, because her dad abandoned her and thinks il do the same or because she would rather b at home doing what she wants to do.

Has anyone else had this problem and how did you deal with it?

ask gpo to refer to a play therapist to get to the bottom o her anxiety.

in emantime try adn let her talk.

have her draw pictures
eg draw your family
draw school
draw your best friend

imagine your best dream, what would it be?

what would be your best holiday?
waht would be your best weekend activity?
both of you do it together

things that mnigh draw out of he what she thinking and feeling about life

Thanks for the advice.

She came home yesterday and told me about her talk with the teacher. She said its a worry tummy. She worries that i am going to die in a car crash.
Hav no idea where this has came from as one i dont drive and two she hasnt had any experience of anyone she knows dying this way.
We had a good talk after school yesterday.

Would it be best to still phone the gp or leave it and see if she improves?

I would still phone the GP and ask for help. Your DD has a fear/anxiety that seems to be causing some issues and unless you are able to talk to her and help her see things differently then maybe it would be best to see if there is some help that you can access for her. I don't think it is a major issue, just something that your DD has maybe got a little out of perspective, no doubt affected by her relationship with her dad, and needs help to re-focus on the positives in her life so as to avoid dwelling on horiible thoughts that aren't likely to even happen.

Her gut is telling her something that she can't ignore, and while normally our fears and anxieties are based in something tangible i.e. you know what is causing you worry and can try and figure out a way to deal with it and overcome it, sometimes that 'gut' feeling is a little off and causes worry where there needn't be any. If you are confident you can help your DD think things through and realise that her worries are unfounded, then that's great. If not, I'd go with the GP route and see what help there is available. Maybe the school has some things they can suggest, or can access for her?

Good luck, I hope your DD can get past this.