Separation Anxiety Drop-Off Script

How It Works

Creates a predictable goodbye ritual that avoids reinforcing prolonged distress.

Triggers

1. Child clings, cries, or panics at separation
2. Parent guilt leads to long goodbyes
3. Drop-offs are inconsistent across caregivers

Steps

1. Pre-brief at home: "Here's the plan."
2. Use a short goodbye ritual (same phrase + same action).
3. Transfer to a caregiver and leave promptly.
4. Create a reunion ritual to rebuild security.
5. Troubleshoot escalations with staff coordination.

Constraints & Edge Cases

• Sudden severe anxiety after trauma or major changes may need professional input.
• Coordinate with childcare staff for consistency.

Expected Outcomes

• Faster drop-offs over time
• Lower parent anxiety