What am I doing wrong as a mum?

[mermaidsandunicornss]

16 month old DS is normally a happy and laid back child. But for about the past 3 months he constantly cries when I'm around. It comes across as separation anxiety, as he will cry and cling to me. If I let him sit on me and cuddle he might be happy for a minute but then quickly gets frustrated that he wants to get to his toys. So I help him get down to play with his toys and he instantly wails again. If I leave the room even for a second, it's like the world is going to end.

This is obviously not making him happy and it's exhausting for me too.

DH and other family members that look after him tell me that he's not like this for them. When I WFH I can hear him with other people downstairs and he is so much happier and able to enjoy playing, which is heartbreaking for me.

I'm really starting to wonder what I'm doing wrong as his mum. Never had any issues like this with older DD

Doesn't sound like you're doing anything wrong.

Is he frustrated / not yet mobile enough?

Maybe bring a toy up to your lap when cuddling with him.

Mine always liked being read to.

It does sound like separation anxiety. It sounds like you're his favourite, rather than that you are doing anything wrong. Everything is a phase and this will pass, just keep reassuring him.

He is only 1. The world doesn't make much sense to him yet. It is hard for him to know exactly what he thinks and feels, or how to even articulate a tricky problem like wanting Mummy and a toy at the same time.

You are not doing anything wrong. It's that stage when they individuate - when they know that they are seperate from the parent ( rather than an extension of the parent) and they usually get kind of bossy and frustrated during this phase. Its normal. Hang in there.