Millions of children around the world face separation from their primary caregivers for reasons like divorce, deployment, incarceration, and many others. Any such separation can be considered as Adverse Childhood Trauma (ACEs). Due to this, it is vital that professionals understand how these separations may affect growing brains and what practices foster supporting caregiver-child relationships.
Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships between babies and their caregivers create a secure attachment that in return contributes to the development of their brain. Any long-term separation from a parent or caregiver in many ways disrupts healthy brain development for babies.
How separation affects the child?
- Increased stress response and anxiety
- Diminished trust
- Dysregulation of emotions and behavior
It is highly recommended that you prepare the child in case of separation or reunification.
How to navigating parent-child separations?
Talk about it- Explain to your child what is going to happen. Offer emotional comfort and encourage them to express their emotions.
Make a plan to stay connected- The caregiver who is leaving should provide a way to maintain the connection during the time of separation. Meaningful items, photos, and video calls can serve as means to do that.
Follow up with an emotional and physical presence- It’s important to answer any questions in simple and straightforward terms, validate all emotions, and assure children that they are safe and will be well cared for (Osofsky and Chartrand, 2013)
Keep family routines and household management consistent- Keeping the routines helps to avoid extra stress
Reunify with intention- It will take time to readjust when a caregiver returns back. Make space for disruptive behaviors from children
"Don’t underestimate the positive impact providers and practitioners can have in supporting families to thrive."
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