SHE NEEDS MY ATTENTION ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!

[MollyMooMin]

My DD is 2.4 yrs old & when we're in the house, she won't let me do anything on my own, like make the dinner, clean up etc..
When we're at any toddler group, she's off playing & doesn't want me, it's just when we're at home, she SCREAMS until I give her my attention. WHAT CAN i DO?

start off leaving her to her tantrum about nopt having you for a minute, tell her 'mummy has to go and do something now' and then walk away, do it, ignore the screaming and then go back and say' mummy can play with you nopw and take turns 1 minute ignoring, 1 minute giving her attention

might not be feasible but worth a try. she just needs to learn that the scremaing doesn't get you to play with her and that you will p[lay with her when things have been done

Do you think it's habit - she knows you will respond so she's playing up? Perhaps you could try singing in the kitchen while she's in the next room so she knows you are still there. Perhaps also, try playing hide and seek with her, so she gets used to you not being in sight for a few minutes.

You have my sympathy - my DD (nearly 7 months) has crippling separation anxiety and I haven't been to the loo on my own for a month. Worst thing is - she applauds if there are any noises

whomoved......

I think some kids do need much more focussed time with a parent but the fact that your dd is off and away at playgroups shows that she does have the facility to play alone for at least some time; so it may be a case of her being in a habit at home of being able to command your attention.

I think when you need to get things done like the dinner or whatever, you just need to be strong and tell her and ignore any tantrums as far as you can. Have you got a playpen or a gate on the kitchen door? Sometimes they can be a useful negotiating tool; if you make a fuss you'll have to have the gate shut, that sort of thing.

But if it were me I'd not think of it that I had to 'train' her for the sake of it; just do this when you genuinely need to get things done. If she feels it's about 'training' I think it'll turn into a power struggle. There's nothing remotely unhealthy about a two year old needing their mum's attention at home anyway; maybe it's your time and attention that have made her so secure that she can zoom off at playgroup!

agree, don't turn it into a power struggle

sometimes things have to be done. this is life

if you CAN then perhaps involve her in stuff?

she sounds like my dd, tbh. i just end up crying "I NEED some time, I am an ADULT, I am ALLOWED to go to the loo in peace, I AM, I AM." However, I don't think that this is the way to go, really.

oh my 9 month old is still like this now and has been going on for 2 months. i hope it ends soon.