Clingyness being taken to a new level?? HELP!

[wigglemama]

My almost 2yo dd is very very clingy to me and has been for some time. She always wants to be where I am, in my arms. She refuses to go to anyone else, including DH. He takes her to bed every night, which she was fine wit, up until about a month ago, now she wraps her arms around me in a death grip when she knows it is bedtime and cries for me to take her. Am I right to refuse this?

I give her cuddle/kissess all the time. I feel like I am neglecting my ds (almost 4) sometimes because dd demands so much attention. Not that he is that bothered! When I would give him a cuddle, or lift him dd goes mad, hanging off my leg!

She goes to Nursery 3 days a week and enjoys it there. She doesn't cry when I drop her off, although she does refuse to look at me when I am leaving!

During the past few nights though she has been waking frequently in the night, crying out for me. It is exhausting. Is this just a phase that we have to ride out? My DH is frustrated because he wants to help out. ANy experiences?

[UpsyDozy]

Mine is exactly the same. She's 21 months and is my little shadow. She won't even let DH hold her (or anyone else for that matter). If I'm out of sight then she's ok but as soon as I walk in the room she immediately starts crying and just wants me to cuddle her.

I'm just riding it out, I'm sure it will get better. My 2 older ones got over it eventually so I'm just hanging in there!

[wigglemama]

Yes, that sounds familiar! Good to know we're not the only ones! Thanks xxx

[Gilberte]

My DD is 3 and still very clingy with me especially when I'm giving attention to the baby. She still likes to be carried/picked up by me a lot. In fact I'm going start a thread on that I think. She can be settled by my DP now in the middle of the night but always asks to go up to bed with me in the evening.

Most people I meet seem to have DCs that favour Dad so I guess it's nice in someways.

[ConstantCraving]

No advice i'm afraid - but just wanted to say my DD 22 months is the same. She has also always gone up to bed with DH but has recently refused and clung to me. I have been bright and breezy and say 'time to go up with daddy' and just hand her over. I go up with them and DH makes climbing up the stairs with her teddy a game and in the last few days its got a bit better in that she will cling to me but then be ok when i pass her to DH rather than crying. BUT, she's now gone off anyone other than family talking to her - was out in town today and ever time i stopped to chat to anyone and they tried to speak to her she'd say 'oh no!! Going now!' very embarassing .

[wigglemama]

That made me laugh Constant! Can just imagine my dcs coming out with something like that.

It is much better if we put up with the tears when DH takes her to bed because once she is on her way upstairs she stops crying and DH will be down within 5 minutes. If I give in and take her up, it normally takes about half an hour as she will not go into cot until she is fast asleep! Guess we'll just ride it out.

gilbert my ds loved being picked up alot as well. After I had dd by c section I just couldn't and had to tell him that I had a sore back and couldn't lift him. He eventually stopped asking when he realised that I wasn't going to give in. You could try that one maybe???

[Iggly]

DS is like this and I do give him a lot of attention because I think it's separation anxiety. The more I give the better he gets. It's like he needs reassurance that I'm not going anywhere so I thunk it's best to reassure him and build up his confidence while he's at such a young age.