My daughter is 2y10mo. She goes to preschool 3 mornings a week for 3 hours and whilst drop off is often challenging she is happy as Larry there, and comes out happy and smiling. The rest of the time we are together a LOT. Her father works long hours and is often overseas. He does a story but I put her to bed every night. I do every meal. Normal mothering really.
The problem I have is that she is increasingly clingy. She is always asking to be picked up for a cuddle. She will claw at me and try and climb up into my arms. Sometimes it is valid (she is scared, a stranger comes to the house, things get overwhelming etc)., but sometimes it feels like it's just because I am trying to do something else and not giving her 100% attention all of the time. I also have problems going upstairs and leaving her downstairs, she will scream and cry and get herself in a right state. She must ask 'for a cuddle' maybe 75 times a day, it is relentless.
I have tried to discourage the cuddle, or say you can have one in 5 mins when I have done this etc. It isn't really a cuddle she wants, she just wants to be held in my arms. When I go upstairs I always tell her where I am going and how long for and chat to her whilst I am up there so she can hear me etc. but she still is beside herself.
She is quite developed behaviourally with an extensive vocabulary and seemingly pretty bright. She is an only child and there won't be sibling. Which all makes it even weirder.
Has anyone experienced anything like this and how did you gently stop it? I hate the phrase but I am totally touched out, totally exhausted and just need it to calm down a bit!
Thanks so much