Tips for helping toddler who is super clingy and whiny for you and only you?
For context my son is 17 months. Was with me for 6 months when he was born and then went to nursery when I went back to work. Always happy at nursery, for my partner and his grandparents. Plays with them and independently happily and enjoys his days generally.
But when I’m with him (with other people there too) he becomes very whiny, the tantrums go mad and it’s becoming really difficult to spend family time. I work full time and have him on my own one day a week and when it’s just me and him he’s fine. We have a great day and spend lots of happy time together. But when it comes to the weekend with his Dad around too and we are altogether he’s mood changes majorly and it’s becoming really hard for us to all enjoy time together. It’s definitely not just in my imagination cos everyone else sees it too. It’s a difficult age because he is quite advanced with his talking and recently learnt to walk but of course can’t say everything he wants / needs, likes to be on the go all the time and there is just no point where we can all just be together and spend a nice time because his mood towards me in those situations is just upsetting.
I know it’s because I’m his safe place etc and possibly he’s feeling a loss of connection when it’s not just me and him.
How can I help him feel happier when we are in a group family setting? I just want to spend time altogether and currently I’m sat upstairs upset whilst my son plays happily downstairs with his dad.
Sorry if this sounds negative but it’s getting me down 😢