DS1 SUDDENLY DOESN'T LIKE BEING LEFT ON HIS OWN!

[Merlin]

Well, what's going on here then?

DS1 (nearly 7) this week has been having a real panic if he doesn't know where I am or I leave his side. Example:

Left him watching TV to go to front door to talk to builder - cue him crying and getting in a state cos he couldn't find me.

Today in a cafe - we were in the queue and he wouldn't leave my side to go about 12ft to get a carton of juice!

In the house he nearly always follows me upstairs or down as well.

I have thought that maybe it's a bit of attention seeking cos DS2 is taking up a lot of my time at the mo with the terrible 2's!!!!

[Merlin]

..

[Niecie]

Hi Merlin,

I am not sure what is going with your DS but my DS has done the same thing recently. Thankfully it seems to have passed now but for a while I only had to leave the room to go to the toilet and there were calls of 'Mummy, where are you?' It wasn't enough to say I was in the toilet, he would call again 30 seconds later. It drove me mad in the end. If I didn't answer though, he would get in a state as well. I would go upstairs to get a pile of washing and he would follow to see where I was and he wouldn't leave my side when we were out either. We would go the park and I would have to follow him around as he wouldn't move from my side. It was difficult as I have another DS as well (nearly 4) who needs attention.

The only thing that we could think of is that he was insecure because of some small upheaval. This time of year it could be the school holidays, going away on holiday or changing year/school. Nothing particularly major happened to my DS1 so I put it down to a change in routine of some sort. As I say, it did pass but it lasted a few weeks. I don't think we did anything except reassure him that he wasn't going to be left anywhere by himself although sometimes it was hard to be sympathetic when you don't get a minute to yourself.

It would be interesting to see if it is their age or whether somebody has another theory.

You have my sympathy though. I hope it is just a phase, like it was for us.

[Merlin]

Thank you Niecie - you have described DS1 to a tee!

I too am hoping it is just a phase and will just keep reassuring him as much as I can - but as you say it is very tiring!!!!