Kid has anxiety about transition days - what helps?

Jan 2·1 min read

My 8yo gets genuinely stressed on days she switches between houses. Won't eat much, gets clingy, complains about stomach aches. Ex says she's the same way at her place but I don't think she realizes how bad it is.

Has anyone dealt with this? I've tried talking to her about it, doing calm activities, but I think she just dreads the transition itself. Is this something a therapist could help with or am I making it a bigger deal than it is?

6 comments203 views

Comments(6)

SSteve C.RegularJan 3

Not eating much during transition periods could be more than just anxiety. Might be worth checking in with her doctor to make sure there's nothing physical going on too.

PPatrick W.RegularJan 3

The clinginess is tough to watch but pretty normal for her age honestly. Making sure she has something that stays consistent between both houses sometimes helps. Like a stuffed animal or blanket just for transition days.

RRyanRegularJan 3

Transition days are rough for anxiety kids. Have you tried creating a little ritual or checklist for those mornings so she knows what to expect? Sometimes predictability helps with the stress.

BBrad T.New DadJan 3

Have you and her mom talked about making the transitions as smooth as possible? Sometimes the anxiety picks up on tension between parents even if you guys are trying your best to be cool with each other.

RRobertRegularJan 5

Therapy for the kid might be worth looking into if it's affecting her eating and behavior that much. An 8yo shouldn't be that stressed about switching houses even if it's not ideal.

DDwayne S.RegularJan 5

My oldest went through this for a couple years. What really helped was letting her pick an activity we did on the transition day, something small to look forward to. Changed her whole mood about it.