Episode 228: Separation anxiety

In this episode of the Aware Parenting Podcast, which is part of the Foundations of Aware Parenting series, I discuss separation anxiety. I delve into the history and current usage of the term and I contrast Aware Parenting's understanding of separation anxiety with Classical Attachment Parenting's understanding. I explore various causes of separation anxiety, including developmental stages, a need for safety, accumulated feelings, past unhealed separation trauma, and the parent's own past unhealed separation trauma. I also emphasise the effect of cultural beliefs on the understanding of separation anxiety and, as always, I offer lots of compassion to parents and children who are experiencing separation anxiety. I provide practical suggestions, such as the use of separation games and listening to crying and raging, to help both parents and children experience more connection, safety, and healing. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Aware Parenting 00:26 Understanding Separation Anxiety 02:24 Cultural influences on Parenting 06:52 Causes of, and Responses to, Separation Anxiety 25:59 Healing Through Separation Games 40:10 The Influence of a Parent's own Separation Trauma 41:53 Conclusion and Resources If you want to learn more about separation anxiety, I wrote a free ebook, which you can access here: I also recommend reading these books by Aletha Solter, PhD.: Cooperative and Connected Healing Your Traumatized Child Tears and Tantrums The Aware Baby And these books by me: I'm Here and I'm Listening The Emotional Life of Babies All of Your Feelings are Welcome If you want to learn more about separation games, one of the nine types of attachment play, you might feel called to do my Attachment Play Course, which you can find here: I'm also creating a mini course on separation anxiety. You'll be able to find that on my website. You can find out more about my work at and my books at: You can also find me here:

You can listen to Episode 228: Separation anxiety online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Episode 228: Separation anxiety is an episode from The Aware Parenting Podcast by The Aware Parenting Podcast.

This episode is 00:43:43 long.

This episode was published on Mar 21, 2025.

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