It's normal and healthy for your baby or young child to become upset when you have to leave, even for a short while.

Child development expert Pam Dyson suggests that parents begin by leaving their child with people they trust at an early age. Start out with short periods of time and then slowly increase the length of time. It will make your child and you feel more comfortable with the separation, she said.

Never sneak away when you leave your child, she said. Instead, create a good bye ritual. Include a hug, a kiss, and an "I love you," You might also want to kiss the palms of your child's hand and have your child save those kisses in their pocket. If they miss you, they can reach into their pocket, pull out a kiss and place it on their cheek.

Pam Dyson is a child development expert, parenting coach, professional counselor and nationally certified counselor specializing in play therapy at her private practice in Ballwin, MO.