Clingy

[ruth4321]

My ds has been going to his grans 2 afternoons a week and every other Friday for a sleepover since he was a couple of weeks old. They are very close but since last week he has gone over happily but cried to come home after a few mins. I'm a stay at home mum so he only goes there for her to spend time with him on her days off and me to get housework etc done! I am unsure how to deal with it so far she's been bringing him back the first time he did cry to go back and she came back for him. Do we just keep trying or do we stop it for a while?

[bakingcupcakes]

How old is DS?

I have no useful advice but when I was about 6 I refused to stay over/go on days out with grandparents or friends because I was terrified something would 'happen' to my parents. It didn't come from anywhere but the anxiety lasted years. I only felt safe with them.

Nothings happened to unnerve him in some way?

[bittapitta]

9/10 months is when separation anxiety kicks in. It's a phase. How old is your baby OP?

[ruth4321]

Hes 2.5 he's a good talker so he can tell us things but I'm not sure he could tell us what is wrong as when we ask he can't answer. He has been super clingy at different toddler groups in the past and if I was not within his sight he would go crazy but that didn't effect him going to grannys. She is very upset by it but trying not to make too much fuss of the situation!

[Floowho]

I would keep trying to leave him. He might be going through a super clingy phase, BUT if he learns that if he cries he gets to go home, that might be setting up for more difficult situations when he is older and has to leave you at nursery or school. If it's any consolation, he really won't remember this going on (I speak as a mother of two ds, now aged 13 and 9) and I often ask if they remember things and they never do!

[ruth4321]

Yea I said to MIL to try keep him n distract him as much as possible she is trying it but always ends up bringing him back within an hour. I'm not looking forward to nursery in August I think as I'm at home and there isn't an excuse like mummy is at work u have to stay at grannys it's harder. Will try a firmer approach! Thanks :)

[Floowho]

Nursery won't give in as easily (in a nice way!). Used to be a Nursery Nurse, and you get very used to clingy children X one tip is to not hang around as it will just prolong the parting, and you can always phone. Could there be a special treat that he just has at granny's like favourite food or dvd or toy that he doesn't have anywhere else? That might work.