4 November 2026Working parents
My child is in primary school and still cries when I leave them at the gate. Shouldn't this be over by now?
Not always. A new class, a new teacher, a wobbly friendship or a long weekend can bring those tears back, even in a child who was fine last term. It doesn't mean you've made them clingy.
Try this tonight
The same short goodbye every morning: one hug, one true sentence ("I'll be at the gate after the last lesson"), then go. Tell the teacher, and ask what the first ten minutes actually look like. Most children join in faster than it feels from the pavement.
When to check in
Talk to the school and your GP if the distress lasts all day, they refuse school for more than a few days, or most mornings start with tummy aches and dread.
Official guidance: NHS: Separation anxiety
You're not alone.
