Handout 7
Some of the ways children can react to their parents' separation
TABLE OF CONTENTS | MAP | CSA HOME
| Age group | Reaction to separation |
| Toddler | Regression, forgetfulness, bewilderment, aggression and neediness. |
| 3 - 5 years | Guilt, depression, diminished self-esteem and self-image. |
| 5 - 6 years | Anxiety and regression, whingeing, mood changes, tantrums, reluctance to separate from adult. |
| 7 - 8 years | Loss of age-appropriate defences, intense sadness and longing, loyalty conflicts. |
| 9 - 10 years | Conscious and intense anger towards parents, struggle to master self through denial, courage, bravado, support-seeking, fears, identity problems, health and school problems. |
| Adolescence | Painful feelings, concern about financial needs and own future as marriage partner, de-idealising parents, precipitous independence. |