Goodbyes aren’t easy. There’s nothing fun about parting from a relative or friend, whether its for a few short days or for an extended period of time. But if saying goodbye is difficult for you, think about how it must feel for a child who has severe separation anxiety issues. Many of the children I work with must deal with this on a daily basis, and that is something we can address through music.

I always end my music therapy sessions and music classes with a goodbye song, and I try to stick with those that are happy and upbeat so that the transition to the next activity is hopefully a positive one. However, I wanted to address the feelings that some children associate with saying goodbye, which is why I wrote Time to Say Goodbye.

It’s important to validate the anxious or sad feeling a child may experience when he or she says goodbye, and reassure that it is only a temporary separation (unless it is not, in which case a different approach should be taken). 

This song could be used at different transition times throughout the day; I mentioned going to school and coming home from school, but you could easily add verses about going other places or seeing off a friend or loved one for a period of time.

Explore more of our Transition Songs for helping children move from one activity, place, or situation to the next. 

Listen to Time to Say Goodbye from the album Time to Sing Hello in the audio player, below.