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 behaviour 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 behaviour, 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.