Anti-Separation Anxiety

(I’m around three years old, at my very first day of nursery.)

Teacher: *to my parents* “Usually, children find it a little difficult to get used to being away from home, so for the first week or so, we’ll start [My Name] just being here in the mornings, and build up to her staying for the full day.”

(My parents agree, and return to collect me at lunchtime. When they arrive, I am standing on top of a sofa, with my face painted, and a toy sword in one hand, looking out of the window and waving at them. As they get closer, they can hear what I’m shouting.)

Me: “Go away! I’m playing! Don’t wanna come home!”