Advice Please - toddler upset/clingy so much

[Eowyn]

Help, I don't know what to do with my DD, she's 3 in April. She has always been pretty good, a bit clingy but not a problem until a few weeks ago when we stared nursery.
I leave her with my parents when I work part time & she was always happy with that, but since we started going to nursery a couple of mornings a week & I left her on the 2nd visit, she goes crazy, crying "mummy come back" every time we go to my parents & is generally very easily upset, cries at stupid stuff & can't seem to stop.

As I figured I'd traumatised her trying to leave her at nursery I have since (after leaving her for 1/2 hour twice & she was still crying) reassured her over & over that I won't leave her again & we go once a week & I stay as she enjoys it if she relaxes...
Sorry this is so bitty. Basically I try to tell her over & over in response to her constant questioning that I will be back, always will etc etc but that doesn't have any effect, shouting doesn't seem to help either but seemed worth a try... she is ok with my parents when I go & tells me she doesn't want me when i get home but i can live with that as seems normal toddler behavior, it is the constant fear & tears that i feel so helpless to resolve, that is really getting to me.
Please someone tell me they have been thru this, I don't know of any other children so bad.... I just don't know what to do.

I'm sorry that you are having to go through this it's very distressing isn't it? I had this with one of mine and somebody suggested the following and for us it worked.Give her something small of yours-something that she will associate with you -maybe your key-ring minus keys- and ask her to look after it in her bag until you come to get her.This really worked with my older son when he was young.I guess it makes them feel more sure that you will come back than just words.Really hope that this helps.

Eowyn, I've been and am still going through this with my 6yr old. She's the original 'Velcro child'! It comes and goes in severity, depending on circumstances - we moved to the other side of the world last year and such a huge change has made her more clingy. I try to grin and bear it, as I've learned that forcing her to be apart from me makes her even clingier. Her teacher has been lovely and encourages her independence by asking her to take messgaes to their library or the office and things like that. I also have older children so I am very aware that in 10 yrs time she won't want to be seen dead with me - the problem comes to an end eventually. Best wishes.

Thank you for your messages, today has been better, hopefully yesterday was the low point. Just seemed worse because it was the one day when we were together all day doing stuff she likes so she should have been happy. Today we had nursery & she didn't cry, I don't know how long I will go for but want things to settle down generally before I try leaving again.
I did wonder whether to give her something of mine, will definitely try this when I have the courage to leave.
Probably easier when I'm not tired too, I probably exacerbated things yesterday, but not easy to see at the time.
Any further advice very welcome...