Incredibly clingy 3yo- help!

[Tiredoftiredness]

Hi all,

Over the last few months I've noticed DS (3.5) getting increasingly clingy, and it's now got ridiculous - I'm not allowed to leave him for a moment, he wants my undivided attention constantly, the only way I can escape to cook dinner etc is to plonk him in front of the TV, which I have been doing increasingly, and I want to get out the habit!

He used to play happily on his own for decent amounts of time, but now will not even play for 3 minutes before hunting me down, climbing on my knee, grabbing my face in both hands and staring into my eyes begging me to come and play.

I've tried encouraging him to play on his own - backing away slowly, talking about how nicely he's playing, giving him different ideas while sidling out, but it doesn't work.

I need a cup of tea without a small person immediately on my knee nagging me.

Please help!

I tell mine off a little bit if they do that quite frankly. They know when they're pushing too hard. At 3.5 they certainly can understand when enough is enough. This age is awkward as they're getting more and more ready for school and more interaction. Is he getting plenty of physical play daily?

Oh trust me he's had plenty of tellings off about it!

Thanks for replying, most days he gets plenty of running/cycling/ jumping etc time, and obviously I love sitting down wit him one on one to do puzzles or play, he just can't accept when that ties over!

I think the thing I find most frustrating is that reports are he's happy playing along at GPs house, or when DH has him, but i not allowed a seconds peace.

Bump for the morning crowd...?

Hi I just wanted to say I am going the exactly same thing with my ds who's almost 3 and I can't have a moment peace without him, he is very clingy, he even wakes up during the night to check I'm still there! I don't have any advice but just wanted to reassure you that your not alone, It's very hard guess we're very loved

I wonder if it's time for a few sessions at nursery so you can have a break? Dd is pretty clingy and if I'm around she wants my total attention unless watching tv (and even then wants me to watch it), all I can suggest is nursery and saying no you have to wait, mummy will do x when she's done y.