separation anxiety

I have an 8 year old son who used to love spending the night at his friends houses but his father and I divorced this year and I moved out of the house 5 months ago. We share custody of him on an every other week basis. But since the divorce he will not spend the night or go to any of his friends houses. He cries and says I can't go I will miss you too much. He was even getting himself so upset he was throwing up. I am guessing this is his way of coping with the divorce but what do I do? I try to reassure him that I will never leave him, that I love him and that his dad or I will always pick him up. How long will this happen for? What can I do to help him??
Thank you
Sconley3

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Do not put any pressure on him to visit at his friend's home. His reaction is understandable. Imagine how his world has been turned upside down. No wonder he's anxious about the 'permanence' of his parents in his life. He has already experienced a fracture in the family, and his anxiety is prompted by the fear that at some point he might be left to fend for himself. Of course he wants to stay near. He'll adapt, but needs time, patience and support.