18mo DS2 has been going to a childminder 1 morning a week for a couple of months. I am a SAHM, so this is just some "me time": I go to an exercise class, meet a friend for coffee, then collect him. I was desperate for this time, as with 2 small boys and DH who works away a lot, life is pretty full on. However DS2 is really not keen at all on going. He clings to me like a limpet as soon as we pull up at her house, and won't be put down. I am told that he cries / is subdued almost all of the time that I am away (2.5 hours). He started off a bit better than this (always hated being left, but then settled), but has become progressively worse.
He is normally such a happy little thing, that I am starting to really hate doing this to him. He clings and seems upset for a good couple of hours after I collect him. It's probably not worth it, is it? I'm aware that one morning a week is unlikely to be enough for him to settle, but I really don't want to send him more - I just wanted a small window of non-mum time each week, but maybe this is asking too much? Any thoughts? I've tried the usual tricks of sending him with his comforter / toys he likes, staying longer to try to settle him (doesn't work), a drop-and-run approach (doesn't work, but no worse than if I stay for half an hour). The CM seems lovely and has a few other children there for him to play with, but he's just not settling.
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Persevere with childminder? Clingy 18mo
10 replies
BrightenMyNorthernSky · 28/10/2012 21:46
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