Toddler granddaughter suddenly dislikes me

[Phlem]

I have looked after my granddaughter once/twice a week since she was a newborn. We are incredibly close and I felt like we had a strong bond. She was always so happy to see me and we used to have a lot of fun together.

Now it’s all changed. She’s not quite two but cries as soon as I turn up to pick her up for our day. She doesn’t want to come to me and will literally scream and sob trying to get back to her parents or other grandparents.

When she eventually stops crying she doesn’t seem happy. Doesn’t laugh or smile anymore and literally gives me dirty looks when I try and play with her! 😂

Worryingly she appears to have stopped talking completely. I’ve not heard her talk for over two weeks. She’s gone back to making baby noises.

She’s changed so much and it’s a little upsetting. She used to be such a happy cheerful baby and now she just cries, stays silent and just wants to play by herself. AIBU to be worried?

Why does she suddenly dislike me? 😞

I’m so sorry to hear this OP. At this age, any change in behaviour can be distressing especially when you don’t understand why, however reading this I instantly thought something may actually not be right at home? For a child of that age to regress in speech, drastically change behaviour and become introvert (playing on her own etc!) to me would be a big red flag that it is actually more than her just not wanting to be with you and may have nothing to do with you at all if that makes sense. Has there been any changes at home or anything big that’s happened in her life recently?. Sorry you are doing though this and hope you get to the bottom of it all! X

That sounds heartbreaking :(
Is she still talking at other times, with her parents? If she is regressing there I would be quite concerned .
If it's only with you, has anything happened to scare her/upset her usual routine? Toddlers are funny little creatures and it may be a developmental hiccup. Are things ok at home for her?
I know mine went through periods when they only wanted me, or only wanted Dh and it was horrible.

Is it that she is having separation anxiety when away from her parents? Do the other grandparents mind her without them, or only see her when with the parents?

My daughter started giving my dad a hard time around that age. And my Nan (her GGM) too! She would just be “rude” if a 2 year old can be rude and refuse to say hello to them or anything. She had previously been very loving and cuddly with them.
It upset my dad a lot but it was just a phase (it did last several months) and we just challenged her when she wasn’t kind towards them, over and over again. Eventually it passed. I think it’s them realising they have autonomy and can affect adult behaviour by doing certain things like being very contrary. I wouldn’t take it personally if you can!