My daughter is 2.4 and has been in full time nursery since about 11 months. She loved it and apparently was very affectionate and played with other children very well. No concerns at all with her behaviour or development.
However with us (me and DH) she has always been very clingy and is now very controlling - wanting us together at all times, crying if one of us tries to do anything on their own etc. she is also terrified of everything especially animals, and although talks about them enthusiastically, will scream hysterically and need calming down if a bird goes within 5 metres of her or if we pass a dog in the park etc.
We have just moved abroad and so I'll be looking after her full time (at the moment). Where we live is hot and beautiful and has amazing beaches. She screams if we try and take her anywhere near the beach, she won't walk on anything other than concrete (so not grass, sand or anything else). She wants to be carried everywhere and climbs up us if we put her down to walk.
I've just had a play date with three other children of the same age who were all happily running round naked and splashing in the paddling pool - my DD clung to me and refused to let me do anything or talk to anyone (I'm trying to make friends in a new country so this is really tough). She warmed up a bit and played a tiny bit with one of the other children but I had to be sat next to her the whole time. She is now sat inside watching peppa pig (which is the only thing she wants to do and all hell will break loose if I try to do anything else with her) and I am looking out at gorgeous sunshine in a garden we never dreamt about in the uk and I just want to cry because I want to go out.
I'm finding it so hard. Is this normal? Will it get any better? What can I do to get her to try new things, stop clinging to me and live a little?! I can't bear the idea that we've moved here to sit inside and watch peppa pig all the bloody time when there is sunshine outside.
Help!