Clingy, whiny and fussy 19m old. Will this end?

[Illuminatedbaby]

I’m finding myself struggling with this age. My DS is incredibly clingy, literally is at my neck clinging to my collar most of the day. He is getting fussier about life in general but especially his food. He just wants to snack the whole time on rubbish. Won’t eat anything that’s ‘clean’ in the slightest. If I offer him healthy food (think mash potatoes, pasta…not carrot sticks) he cries at the sight of it and throws a tantrum. I am pregnant with DC2 and am wondering whether I am even cut out to be a mum if this is what it’s like. I am exhausted (first trimester nausea and fatigue) and feel I get triggered easily when my DS throws a tantrum, despite me not showing it. I try to come across as ignoring his drama but it’s hard not to express negative emotion sometimes. Not sure I am doing the right thing. Tips welcome? Xx

Don't give him the option of rubbish food, he shouldn't even know it exists at that age.

Tantrums are normal. Pick your battles but hold your boundaries. Don't ignore a tantrum, comfort him through.

The clinging is hard. If you're pregnant it's possible he can sense that change is afoot and he's feeling insecure. Similar to tantrums, be kind and gentle, but hold your boundaries. For example, don't pick him up all the time. Do lots of coming down to his level, playing at his level, but don't pick up every time he asks. Make sure he has time with his other parent even if he protests or would rather be with you.

It's a tricky age, but it will pass.

Agreed. I adore my husband, but he was raised in a house of snacks whereas i was raised to eat three meals a day and therefore i barely need to snack and i bloody wince every time he gives our 22 month old any snack food as she wouldn't know it existed were it not for him introducing it! Crying face. . . . .

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I was also pregnant with my second when my youngest was around 19 months and it was tough. Before you get yourself really stressed out try and muddle through this first trimester and see how you are feeling when the energy of the second trimester finally comes along. I remember sitting on the floor crying that I couldn’t deal with my 1 year old and how will I ever deal with 2, but when those hormones cleared up it suddenly didn’t feel quite so bad

The very fact you are concerned about being a good mum shows just what a wonderful mum you are and that both your babies are lucky to have you 🥰

Dealing now with a 16 month old who is also in a very clingy and fussy stage (soz to all those perfect mums, but she knows what junk food is already!) I completely sympathise with how tough it is, and I’m not even dealing with those pregnancy hormones! But everything is a phase and you will get there. Hold those boundaries and offer the good food whenever you feel able to deal with it, but if you occasionally snack whilst he tantrums or give him a chicken nugget when he refuses food just remember that this won’t last forever. Xx