does the whingeing and clinging get better? do they turn into oversensitive whingeing older children ???

[herbgarden]

ds is 17 months. we've had a particularly bad weekend with him - slightest move in any direction reduces him to tears and he clings like velcro. Will not go to DH. This is not the first time. I do worry about the sort of older child he'll turn into - will he need more reassurance than normal? Will he be hyper sensitive?? Any thoughts welcomed...

He could just be comming down with somthing . Just enjoy it for now, I'd love my DD to cuddle up to me. I don't think it will last, he is still only a bubba. Does he go to nursery or have any friends around to play ? That might help. Don't push too much though or he may retreat in to his shell even more. Give loads of reasurence and praise. Just indulge him for now, you'll miss his cuddles one day. Just enjoy him.

He is tiny still - it is fine for him to want his mum all the time. My brother clung to my mum for ages and turned into a very happy adult who goes off round the world - my mum wishes he is a bit more clingy now!!!

agree with mummyloveslucy, sounds like he's poorly. My son was whingey at that age always worse when ill.

I'd say get him and DH to spend some quality time without you to build attachment if you are really worried.

Mm, apparently I was the same when I was a little girl - wanted my mummy all the time and would not go to anyone else. I am quite independent and have been all round the world on my own too so don't really know what I've got my knickers in a twist about. But it has been wearing.....! It feels never ending but then again there is something wonderfully warm and lovely about your little boy lying snuggled up with their thumb in looking so contented by being there....! I must therefore repeat " make the most of it !"

My daughter was terribly, terribly clingy when she was about that age. Now she's a very confident nine-year old who gets on well in new surroundings and finds it easy to make friends.

It's a phase. My dd was incredibly clingy, the first few years I felt I never got out of the armchair and often wanted to ring the maternity ward to check they had cut the umbilical cord.
She is now 11 and one of the most socially confident people I have ever come across. She has just spent 5 weeks in a hospital residential clinic and has had a splendid time - all the comments in her leaving card emphasised her cheerfulness and sunny nature. She still leans on me more than on other people, but she is very independent for her age. Over the years I have learnt that a lot of her dramatic reactions are on the surface, and she doesn't usually feel that upset, while her younger brother, who clowns around and makes silly jokes, is really much more sensitive.

I have had two 'velcro babis' as I call them, and yes, for a few of the early years it is incredibly difficult and frustrating but they do get better.

DD2 (first velcro baby) now is my most confident. se has changed schools twice in the past 2yrs and not been phased and soon made good friends, and also started scouts (her choice), again without nerves, and now goes camping ec without a backward glance. doesn't even want me to stay and wave her off, just drop and go.

DS2, (my now velcro baby) is now 5 and still a little glued. I am not sure tho if that isn't just because he is the youngest of 5 and 'my baby' (yes, I don't help), but also he had been in hospital a fair amount as he has a bowel prob. (mind you, may not be the only reason as DD2 and DD3 both spent more time in hospital as they have immune probs).

anyway....DS2 is coming round. he is going to start beavers at easter with DS1, and altho he finds going to school hard (well, saying goodbye is more the prob), he is always ok once there.

My view is, they are tiny for such a short time, and altho is is hard, and may drive you near tears at times (it did me!), if you can go with it then it wil ultimately pay off in a confident happy child who doesn't feel scared of their feelings as they were always taken seriously while younger. AND, they will always know that if they do have a wobble, mummy is always there to give a much need huge hug and put them back on the path again.