Free The No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution: Gentle Ways to Make Good-bye Easy from Six Months to Six Years by Elizabeth Pantley Page A

replace if lost or broken.
    Once you have a second backup bracelet, I suggest that you rotate
    the two bracelets frequently. If you keep one tucked away, and your
    child wears the other every day, it may become tattered or defaced
    in some way that makes it unique and thus absolutely irreplaceable
    in your child’s eyes. Keep the second bracelet safely hidden so your
    child doesn’t fi nd it and misplace it or develop a bond to wearing two
    bracelets at the same time.
    Daddy David and twins Ava and Julian, seventeen months old
    The Magic Bracelet Solution for No-Cry Separation 45
    Introduce Your Child to the Magic Bracelet
    It is critically important for you to introduce the bracelet properly
    to your child. This is not something to be thrust into her hands at
    a time when she is crying frantically and watching you walk away,
    even if you’re tempted to do so. Such a beginning would likely create
    negative feelings about the bracelet and prevent any future positive
    use. You will need to infuse the bracelet with loving “magic” before
    your child walks off with it happily on her wrist.
    Introduce the bracelet idea gently, lovingly, and in a relaxed man-
    ner. Even though you might have to live through another few days
    of separation anxiety tears, it is better to take the time to warm your
    child up to the idea than to rush it or present it at the wrong time
    and destroy the opportunity to use this tremendously helpful tool.
    Introduce the bracelet on a day when both you and your child are
    in a good mood and you are feeling connected. You may wish to wrap
    it up and present it as a special gift.
    Depending on your child’s personality and your own opinion about
    things like the Easter bunny, Santa Claus, and the tooth fairy, you
    can either give the bracelet a “magic” quality or simply present it as a
    confi dence-building tool to make parting easier. Here are scripts that
    show how two different parents explained the gift to their children:
    The Truly Magic Bracelet
    “ Mommy has something very special here. This is a magic bracelet I
    got especially for you. It will help you feel better every day when you
    go to daycare. It will be almost like having a tiny, little Mommy to
    take with you! It can carry hugs and kisses and love, so anytime you
    need some love from me, you will have it right there on your wrist.
    You just have to look at it or touch it, and it will make you feel bet-
    ter. Would you like to try it on?” (Parent places the bracelet carefully
    and lovingly on the child’s wrist, and then hugs it and kisses it and
    places the child’s arm with the bracelet up to her chest to give it a
    fi nal hug.)
    The Confi dence-Builder Bracelet
    “ I know that it’s hard for you to leave me in the morning when you go
    to school. So I have something very special for you that I think will
    46 The No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution
    help you a lot. It’s called a Magic Bracelet because it helps kids feel
    better when they are away from home. I love you all the time—even
    when we are not together—and your bracelet with help you remem-
    ber that I am loving you even when I am not with you. You just have
    to look at it or touch it, and it can make you feel better. Would you
    like to try it on?” (Parent gives the bracelet a hug and a kiss, and
    then places it gently and lovingly on the child’s wrist.)
    More Tips for Introducing the Bracelet Idea
    Every child is unique, and you know your little one best. Either of
    these two scripts might be perfect for you, or you may need to lead
    up to the moment and prepare your child for the actual presentation.
    Here are a series of ideas that have worked for other parents when
    beginning work with the Magic Bracelet. Take some time to review
    them, think about what might work best for you, and set up a plan
    before you begin.
    First Mine, Now Yours
    Children who are intent on mimicking everything a parent does
    might take to the bracelet if they fi rst see it as