My son is going through something funny at the minute and I’m not sure what the problem is or how to support him best.
He’s nearly 4, has been in preschool 2 days a week since Easter and then both preschool (3 mornings) and nursery (2.5hrs everyday) since September when I went back to work from mat leave (dd is 14 months)
Since being off for Christmas he seems to want to spend all day in my arms. He wants me to carry him everywhere, refuses to walk, refuses to do anything for his dad.
He just wants to sit on my lap and tell me he loves me all day. It was adorable at first but has become wearing and hurtful to my DH.
Getting him to do anything (stuff he want to do like go outside and play) involves ages of coaxing and negotiation just to get dressed and get shoes on.
The slightest thing not going his way (like no you can’t have more chocolate) is causing lots of upset/frustration - but basically screaming and crying and a way over the top reaction.
My family think it’s lack of routine, the change of his normality but I feel it’s more to do with being exhausted, holding things to together in school and it all pouring out at home. I also think he’s claiming me back from his sister a bit.
I’m very into attachment parenting, breastfed him and his sister, coslept until he was happy to sleep alone and he’s been a very secure confident child so this is unusual.
Is this just Christmas or something else?