Mental wellbeing: When a parent goes abroad for work, children can feel a loss that has no end
Summary
When a parent migrates for work, children can experience grief-like symptoms, attachment insecurity, and long-term emotional strain. Mental health professional Sunika Joshi explains how families can support children through prolonged separation and uncertainty.
Key Points
- Children may show sadness, confusion, anger, sleep issues, bedwetting, or other grief-like reactions when a parent leaves for work abroad.
- Sunika Joshi describes the experience as ambiguous loss, with the parent physically absent but emotionally present through calls and messages.
- Prolonged separation can shape anxious or avoidant attachment and make later relationships more difficult.
- Supportive caregiving, honest communication, and space for children to express feelings can reduce harm.
