Q: I'm a childminder and find that quite often a child will cry when I pass them to their parent at the end of the day, particularly those from about ten months to two years old. Is this because they are tired and feel overwhelmed, or is it an attachment issue? I feel bad for the parent when this happens and am unsure how to respond.
A: This is an appropriate developmental reaction to change and is not a cause for concern, although it is obviously upsetting for everyone involved.
Children of this age have strong emotions but very little control over them, which can lead to frustration and crying in situations they cannot change, such as an unexpected disruption to their routine or a change in their carer. It may be useful to explore with the parent how they respond to leaving other situations such as staying with grandparents, as this may give you more insight into the child.
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