Leaving the park (or anywhere for that matter) can be TOUGH. It can be tempting to say, “I’m leaving you here then… bye!” This can actually make it harder.
Here are tips to make it a little easier on both you and your child:
Give a Heads-Up: About 10-15 minutes before leaving, let your child know it’s almost time to go. You can say something like, “We’ll be leaving the park soon, so let’s have a few more minutes of fun.”
Note that toddlers and young kids have difficulty understanding the concept of time. Depending on your child’s age, it can be more effective to say things like, “You can kick the ball three more times”. That makes it easier for them to process cognitively than telling them they have 10 more minutes.
Acknowledge Feelings: If your child protests leaving, validate their feelings. Say something like, “I know you love the park, and it’s hard to say goodbye. We’ll come back again soon.” Once you’ve validated their feelings ONE TIME, it’s time to go. Validating feelings repeatedly can backfire and work against you. Show them that you hear them, and then stand strong with your limit.
Goodbye Routine: When you do the same routine over and over, it helps your child know what to expect. Knowing what to expect is fundamental for them to regulate their nervous system. Try something like, “Let’s say bye to the park! Bye swings, bye slide, bye tree…”
Offer Choices: Give your child some autonomy by offering choices within limits. For example, you can ask, “Do you want to go down the slide one more time or swing a bit longer before we leave?”
Distract: Bring a favorite toy or play a game during the journey home. Distractions can help ease the transition.
Bring snacks! Hunger often hits after playtime is over.
Remember that transitions can be challenging for young children, so patience and understanding go a long way in making the process smoother. You’ve got this!