Is it 'normal' for a 2 year old to be this clingy?

[ParrotandBubbles]

My DD1 is incredabily clingy and seems to be getting worse and I'm finding it really difficult as my 9 month old has just hit seperation anexity. She turned 2 in August and will not let me leave her - she has to be the same room as me and follows me around the house (I try slipping out when she's distracted but she cries hysterically as soon as I am out of sight). Whats harder to manage is she gets distressed if mummy is not evident in books/films/cebeebies etc. Shows like Charlie and Lola reduce her to tears as she is completly fixated on the absence of a parent. I have to pre read books to be sure that a parent is on every page. Is this 'normal'? Im worried as I want to start looking for work and the thought of trying to settle her at nusery is giving me nightmares!

I think they do go through phases of being clingy, my son did at least! Has she recently gone through a developmental stage? Dr Sears has a good explanation that they tend to have an independent stage learning lots of new skills, followed by a clingy stage. I would just go with the flow and let her stay as close to you as she wants. Hopefully it won't last too long!

I second the normality of it. Also the looking for a mummy or parent in a story is something I come across with both of mine. If there's a story where the children go out of the house, into the street, or playground or beyond and there's no evident adult supervision, mine are like "where are their mummy and daddy?" -

Yep, it's normal. You have to wait till 3 (and then 5) for them to be a lot more independent. It's probably the development thing as others say.

Also, having a little brother/sister is probably still affecting her a tad, especially if his/her behaviour is changing. I find my 4 year old still reacts a bit when his (nearly 2) year old sister changes. He has to get used to the new sister as we all do!