Attachment to grandparent

An eight year old twin girl always wants to stay with her grandmother. After a visit with the grandmother who does not live nearby the child cries bitterly. The other twin is sad during departures but understands the visit must end and that their will be future visits.
Her crying is heartbreaking and it seems to take longer to get over her separation.What can we do?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Justine,

I'm not sure you need to do anything. People in general, not just children, respond to separations in various ways. The range of sadness displayed by children in relation to separation form loved ones varies greatly. If this little girl is developing normally in all respects (i.e., is happy within her family, is adapting well to school - academically and behaviorally, and enjoys normal relationships with peers), I would simply respond in a quiet, supportive way.