Health Tip: Help Ease Separation Anxiety at Night

Some children have trouble falling asleep at night because they fear separation from their parents.

The University of Michigan Health System suggests how to help children cope with this issue:

• Allow your child choices during the bedtime routine, such as the order and type of activities.
• Set a reasonable bedtime, and a reasonable bedtime routine that precedes it.
• Establish firm rules (such as don't get out of bed), and make sure your child understands them.
• Adjust the morning wake time if your child takes a long time to fall asleep.
• Talk about the nightly bedtime routine in advance, so kids know what to expect when bedtime comes.