I heard them whispering, the secret looks and mischievous WhatsApp messages buzzing back and forth as their mobiles binged to the beat of fun-filled rendezvous with secret friends. Yes those devious two, our parents, who profess their love to us, mere babies, time and time again, are in cahoots with each other. They are going out and NOT taking us!!!! They, as usual underestimated my beagle eyed cleverness and before they could say “Pusswedilla” I was on to them. 

The unravelling of their major plans all started on a particularly hot Saturday morning. Drugged into in-movement with the latest health related baby food that Mother Dearest had come across, I was belly up in organic pureed carrots with a hint of some hidden green vegetable. Pondering whether to throw it all up again or send it to the waste department, I noticed my usual stoic lulled into domesticity Mummy Dearest looking unusually hyper. Much like when Big Sister has doused a forbidden cup of something fizzy, she was bouncing, soon she'd be nae naeing and we'd be watching her whip! “Just Dad” also seemed highly excited with arm gestures and claps of glee, what the dickens was going on I thought. What has happened to my otherwise boring parents. 

Immediately the fate of the green gobbly goop forgotten and my French legionnaire senses activated, I watched stealthy through the playpen bars which held me in captivity. Yes something was definitely in motion, credit cards were flashed, tickets seemed to be booked, friends called and loud shouts of “Just come men, got tickets” and “will be a mighty good show, lots of belly laughs with Puss”. Goodie I thought, we're off on some adventure, were we going to see Barney maybe, he has a belly and a constant scary smile?. My little 10 month hopes rising high, I laughed along with them until everything came crashing down. Just Dad said those hateful words” Here, honey, better get your mother to babysit now!”, What! As much as I love being spoiled rotten by my doting grandmother, this other adventure sounded much more fun. With the parents bickering about which set of grandparents should babysit this time and why is it always mothers?, I decided to do what I do best, I elevated my phantom issues with separation anxiety, opened the flood gates of the tears which never stopped, despite the constant cajoling, soothing and even the bribes of desperation. 

Clinging to Mother Dearest I became her newly acquired appendage, I was in a state..oh gosh, think I might be getting a fever, maybe the organic carrots were actually fake and now I've got a tummy bug infection. Will make Mother feel more guilty for feeding me evil food rather than cookies. Looks like the distraught parents are not going anywhere tonight, us trained french legionnaire warriors don't reveal our secret tactics, but they do work. HA! 

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Expert Advice - Separation Anxiety in Children 

It's natural for your young child to feel anxious when you say goodbye. Although it can be difficult, separation anxiety is a normal stage of development. With understanding and these coping strategies, separation anxiety can be relieved—and should fade as your child gets older. there are steps you can take to make the process of separation anxiety easier. 

Practice separation. Leave your child with a caregiver for brief periods and short distances at first. 

Schedule separations after naps or feedings. Babies are more susceptible to separation anxiety when they’re tired or hungry. 

Develop a “goodbye” ritual. Rituals are reassuring and can be as simple as a special wave through the window or a goodbye kiss. 

Keep familiar surroundings when possible and make new surroundings familiar. Have the sitter come to your house. When your child is away from home, let him or her bring a familiar object. 

Have a consistent primary caregiver. If you hire a caregiver, try to keep him or her on the job. 

Leave without fanfare. Tell your child you are leaving and that you will return, then go—don’t stall. 

Minimize scary television. Your child is less likely to be fearful if the shows you watch are not frightening. 

Try not to give in. Reassure your child that he or she will be just fine—setting limits will help the adjustment to separation. 

By Mayuri Jayasinghe