mummy mummy mummy - don't leave me mummy

[derlor]

Please help, my almost 3 year old daughter has suddenly become so clingy and is hysterical when i try to leave her with anyone i.e. grandparents, playgroup or other children's parties. This is so out of character for her as she was previously so independant and confident. can't think of anything that has changed - any suggestions?????

My daughter went like this when she went to playgroup - they literally had to peel her off me! and lo and behold there was I a sobbing wreck outside and within 2 mins , she had forgotten me and was absolutley fine! I think its just a development stage thing.

My ds3 (3y +1m) went through an incredibly clingy stage beginning last autumn; we're just coming out of it now, so I know how you feel.

Is the playgroup a recent thing ? Mine started playgroup in Sept- every weekday morning for 3 hours. While he did let me leave without too much fuss and seemed/seems to enjoy it there very much, I reckoned it was a combination of his launch into the big world, coupled with a surge in development,ie. at around 3 they understand so much more what's going on around them. Perhaps a bit of insecurity is inevitable. That said, my ds's phase was incredibly distressing for us both; he wouldn't even let me go to the other corner of the kitchen without him, screamed blue murder etc. every time I tried to go to the loo/fetch something from another room. He wouldn't even let dh put him to bed - usually he wouldn't anyway during the week because of working long hours, but "Daddy time" at the weekend totally stopped.

I adapted by accepting his need to be with me always, and now everything's easier again. He will play briefly in another room out of my sight, he still panics a bit if I nip upstairs without him, but is reassured by a "Back in a minute", etc.

But above all I am once again looking forward to picking him up from playgroup every day: I began to dread the intense and stressful winter afternoons with him !

Let's hope your dd is in the middle of a similar phase which she'll grow out of soon.

She started playgroup in january and ran in waving 'goodbye' for the first few weeks. also used to go happilly to grandparents etc. now a sudden change in all of this happy behaviour not even too keen on daddy any more - he well upset at this!! she also taken to dragging round any accessible item of my clothing for comfort even when i am there! it is the overwhelming change in her behaviour that confuses me

Sounds like she's having a 'I love Mummy' phase...my present charge is having the same but with Daddy which is very upsetting for Mummy...It'll pass,try not to worry about it too much!