Does your child cling to you whenever you try to leave? Does he or she react strongly to the thought of being left alone? Psychologists call this kind of behavior separation anxiety, and it's usually a normal part of your child's developmental process—one that they outgrow. Sometimes, though, extreme or persistent kinds of separation anxiety can make life difficult for both you and your child. In some cases, separation anxiety issues can lead a child to be reluctant to get ready for school or, worse, to simply refuse to go at all. This behavior, called school refusal, comes with its own set of challenges. This book shows you how to identify when your child's separation anxiety or school refusal is more than just a phase and offers effective tools that you can use to manage your child's anxiety. Real-life stories about other children facing these challenges will help you keep your situation in perspective and remember that, with patience and persistence, your child will overcome his or her anxiety.

After reading this book, you will be able to:

· Identify your child's unique safety needs · Empower him or her with simple and effective coping skills · Guide your child to better sleep, more comfortable alone time, and regular school attendance · Monitor your progress and tap additional resources as you need them

'Eisen and Engler have written an outstanding guide for parents of children who suffer from separation anxiety or school refusal. This well-written book is the first of its type, describing practical, step-by-step strategies similar to those that have been studied extensively in anxiety research centers around the world. In addition to being a valuable resource for parents, this book will be very useful to teachers and mental health practitioners who work with anxious children.' —Martin M. Antony, Ph.D., ABPP, director of the Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre at St. Joseph's Healthcare and professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University, both in Hamilton, ON

'Separation anxiety can derail a child's normal development at any age. Moreover, it can make life miserable for that child's parents and family—not only the child. This book helps parents navigate the murky waters of separation anxiety by giving them a roadmap and a set of proven and effective strategies to help them deal with it and, yes, even to prevent it. In the hands of caring and motivated parents, it is a veritable tour de force. It is a well written, engaging, and eminently practical book. Parents (and their separation anxious children) will be thanking Eisen and Engler for years to come for their sage and helpful advice.' —Thomas H. Ollendick, Ph.D., university distinguished professor and director of the Child Study Center in the Department of Psychology at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA

'A highly user-friendly guide to help parents understand how to help children cope more effectively with separation anxiety and school refusal. Eisen and Engler are true leaders in the field of child anxiety. Their use of real life case illustrations really brings these evidence based skills home to parents and children. I would highly recommend this book to our own patients, to parents, to clinicians or graduate students working with children and families, and to all others who want to understand specific ways to help children with anxiety issues in ways that promotes their positive development.' —Donna B. Pincus, Ph.D., research associate professor and director of the Child and Adolescent Fear and Anxiety Treatment Program in the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University

'Eisen and Engler provide straightforward advice for parents of a child who is afraid of separation or afraid of school. Separation anxiety is a typical step in development for most children, but when it is interfering and present in older youngsters, then it merits attention. This step-by-step approach for parents, potentially used in conjunction with a therapist, offers sound advice and guidance that is consistent with the research evidence. The book is well-informed, organized, readable, and rich with examples.' —Philip C. Kendall, Ph.D., ABPP, Laura H. Carnell Professor of Psychology and Director of the Child and Adolescent Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA

'Eisen and Engler have provided a wealth of information for parents about the do's and don'ts of helping their child with separation anxiety or school refusal . Clear, easy language, practical exercises, and real life examples are all based on the authors' hands-on experience and scientifically proven methods. This book is an essential resource for parents who are stuck in the binds produced by a separation anxious child and for therapists who are trying to provide an empirically validated program.' —Ronald M. Rapee, Ph.D., director of the Macquarie University Anxiety Research Unit and author of Helping Your Anxious Child

'Eisen and Engler have written a clear, detailed guide for parents who are striving to support each child's autonomy and confidence. Supported by research and clinical insight, this book offers specific strategies to help children achieve healthy separation, while respectfully acknowledging the emotional lives of children and the need for parents to take care of themselves. Parenting is the most humbling effort, and this book supports this most important relationship in a child's life.' —Gerard Costa, Ph.D., director of the YCS Institute for Infant and Preschool Mental Health in East Orange, NJ