Often, it’s not just the kids who have these feelings. Some parents also suffer separation anxieties, especially if they’re dropping off their kids for the first time at a new school or day care.

Lil Diaz, a clinical psychologist at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, says that while some anxiety is normal, most of that behavior should begin to diminish after the first couple of weeks at school.

“Transition to a new school setting can be difficult,” she says. “Some kids are worriers and it becomes overwhelming to be separated from their parents.” Physical complaints are the most common way for kids to show their reluctance to attend school, Diaz says. “But if they don’t have a fever or other symptoms, we recommend parents send their children to school,” she adds.

Some children may need a “transitional object” to take with them to the new school or day care. This should be something concrete and that the child uses frequently, such as a favorite stuffed animal or blanket. For older kids, the object can be something subtle. For instance, a key chain attached to a backpack can be comforting, Diaz says.

If your teen-ager is having trouble getting settled into a new school setting, try to assess what the deeper problem could be, Diaz suggests. For example, the teen could have peer problems or learning disabilities affecting his or her self-esteem.

For children whose school avoidance behavior continues, therapy often is recommended. Such therapy could include anything from deep breathing and relaxation exercises to prescribed medication to calm the child’s anxieties.

Signs that your child could be suffering separation anxiety and may need professional help:

	Hard time getting out of bed in the morning or trouble sleeping
	Falling grades or skipping school
	Nightmares
	“Clingy” behavior to parents
	Irritability
	Change in eating patterns
	Tantrums.