Very clingy 14 mo please help

[wibbleweed]

DS2 is 14 months and has always been a bit clingy but in the past week it's got so bad that I can't even go into the kitchen/go to the loo etc without him having a huge tizz, even if he's with his dad/brother etc. Please tell me this is just a phase? And does anyone have any tips to get out of it?

I'm not sure if it's related (and I hope it hasn't traumatised him) but I tried to settle him at nursery (just 2 afternoons a week) last month, and we had to give up and take him out because he was so unhappy (a decision that I'm quite comfortable with) - since then the clinginess has just escalated poor soul.

Thanks J xxx

[BigBadMouse]

Both my DDs (2 and 4 at end of next month) are incredibly clingy - only Mummy will do for pretty much anything. Today we celebrated that DH was 'allowed' to put DD2s bib on . That said, both mine go through phases of extreme clingyness. Sometimes it is because they are feeling unwell. At other times it is because they are gaining some sort of new independance (a new skill for example) and they just seem to want to be reassured that even though they are growing up, I will still be there for them when they need to be a baby.

I very much doubt the nursery incident is related tbh.

No tips to stop him being clingy I'm afraid, IME they just get over it in a week, few weeks or maybe a month or so. Then they are fine for a while and suddenly 'regress'. It is really hard to cope with as a parent though - I think the best thing is to keep in mind that he will give you a break again but probably when he feels ready and not when you feel you need it.

[wibbleweed]

Thanks bigbadmouse - I'm looking forward to him giving me a wee break

J

[stealthsquiggle]

It's a phase

DD (17mths) was like this for what felt like ages - now suddenly she is a Daddy's girl and having been upset that she wouldn't go to him at all DH is now getting a taste of what it is like to be followed by howls of "Dadeeeeeeeee" every time he leaves a room.