How To Deal With Situations When The Baby Is Unhappy To See You

Most working parents with young kids at home can’t wait to get home and have their kids mob them with a cheer. The dream however, can be shattered when parents come home and find a baby in tears who doesn’t even want to be near them. Even though most parents take it personally and get hurt, there are some easy ways to ensure that kids aren’t upset with your absence to the point where they are unhappy to see them when they come back home.

1. Create a greeting/parting routine

Most young children get upset when a parent has to leave them to go to work. But, most kids can be taught how to make parting less hurtful by simple gestures like waving goodbye, blowing kisses or saying have a nice day, etc. Children love being able to repeat these gestures on their own and it prepares them for the parents’ absence a bit better. It is also important to have a greeting routine like walking around with the baby in your arms, asking for a certain number of kisses, hugs or even secret handshakes. These help lift the child’s spirit instantly when you come home.

2. Give the child your undivided attention when you are with her

If your child gets very upset with your being away, acknowledge their feelings and give them your undivided attention for sometime after you return home. Listen to every mundane detail about their day and remember to shower them with plenty of hugs and kisses as you listen to them.

3. Call the child often when you are away

If your child is suffering from separation anxiety, make sure that you call him up several times during the day to reassure them. Take your child’s unhappiness seriously and do your best to keep him calm through the day.

4. Give the child a comforting surrogate

Children who have been left in daycare or with caregivers at home while parents leave for work every day find the ritual of being without their parents for a certain amount of each day very taxing. If you can’t call your child regularly through the day, offer him a surrogate to lessen his anxiety when you aren’t there. It can be a token, a trinket, a blankie, a soft toy or anything else that can serve a source of comfort when you cannot be there with the child.

5. Make weekends and holidays count

When you find that your child is unhappy to see you when you get home from work, remember to make the most of holidays and weekends. Make each spare day count and ensure that you spend as much quality time with the child as you can so that he has the comfort of knowing that he gets to spend the whole day with you on weekends even if he can’t be with you through the week.