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20 month old screams for Daddy ALL DAY (sorry rambled long)

3 replies

Jaydles · 03/03/2011 21:18

My youngest boy is 20 months old and has over the past 2 months or so started only letting his Dad do things for him. Dressing, changing his nappy, feeding him (when he won't feed himself) everything. If I try to do anything he throws a tantrum and screams until his Dad takes over. Which is fine during the evening when he is here but an actual nightmare during the day when there is only me there. The worst part of the day is bedtime, my OH has to put him to bed or he makes himself sick and screams for about 45 minutes keeping his 2 older siblings awake. Tonight he has woken up after Dad left for the gym and is refusing to go back to sleep!
This has never happened to me before I think I am quite strict with bedtime and routines and have never struggled to get them to bed. Has anyone got any ideas? I have tried lying him back down without speaking but he just puts his fingers into his mouth to make himself sick, the only thing that works is putting him in his bouncy chair until he eventually falls asleep which takes about 2 hours!
To be honest it is driving me crazy and i'm seriously considering who should be the worker and who should stay at home!

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mamaJK · 03/03/2011 21:44

wow. you poor thing! - it IS a phase but they are hard when you're in them.

Unless there's no obvious reason for it (does he get enough dad time on the weekend etc? that might help?) I think you've just got to grin and bear it a bit - or try and reassure him and laugh about it.

so sorry - poor little guy though - separation from whoever they decide on is tough at that age.
and a nightmare when you're killing yourself trying to look after them.
Is he overtired at bedtime? could also be tough.

Lots of cuddles during the day from you and trying to have a sense of humour about it can't hurt either.. you will get through this!!

sequin2000 · 03/03/2011 22:40

If your husband stayed at home he would cry for you! My friend had a similar experience. It really upset her but lasted only lasted a few months.

Jaydles · 04/03/2011 13:04

Thanks guys he does spend lots of time with his Dad, when he is home he is permanently attached to him! I distracted him at nappy change this morning by giving him a toy phone and he pretended to ring Daddy I am trying to just ignore it as my daughter was the same for about 2 months it just seems much worse with Jared. I am sure it will pass (fingers crossed) its just so frustrating when I can't see any real reason for it. He goes to bed at 7pm and still naps during the day I can't imagine he could need much more sleep :)

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