Hi everyone,
I'm really struggling with my 3 year old at the moment (he was 3 in November 2023).
He has had a change of routine -he started preschool in January (school nursery)so goes every afternoon 12.10-3.10. He didn't go to a setting before that. But we went to lots of toddler groups (almost everyday!) and we would leave him at grandparents/friends houses regularly for him to play with others and spend time with him. He also goes to a Sunday school once a week and I leave him there for about 1.5 hours.
When he first started school he was so excited. He'd go in and wouldn't even look back at us, he absolutely loved it!
Now, all of a sudden he doesn't want to go. I don't know whether it's because he's realised he's going everyday. The teacher has reassured me nothing has happened at nursery for him not to like it.
He's also started crying for me everyday even if he's with his dad or grandad which he used to love spending time with.
But here's what I'm really worried about.
He will go on and on about wanting me ALL day. Every moment of every day that I'm not there. Regardless of whether he's playing or doing crafts, watching TV. My husband even tried to make a mask with him today he just asked constantly, "whens mommy home?" "Is mommy in the car?" "I don't want mommy to be gone". He says this over and over again all day. My husband text me and said he couldn't take it anymore. No matter what he said and what reassurance he gave my son just wouldn't listen.
I get children have separation anxiety and it's part of his development etc. But asking every moment of the day with no break is a bit extreme isn't it?
Also when I'm home or with him, he will fixate on something as well. So I ordered some craft things for him from amazon and he asked me for 4 hours straight if the delivery man was here yet. I said he's on the way, he'll be here soon etc but nothing would appease him.
Before he started school nursery we had none of this. So it's been the last week or so.
I just want to help my son be the happy little boy he was 😔