Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Nurseries

Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum. For more guidance on early years development, sign up for Mumsnet Ages & Stages emails.

16 month old never had a clingy phase. Is that normal?

6 replies

scoobydoo99 · 14/02/2007 11:56

Hi everyone. I' new to all this, and I suppose I have rather an odd problem. My DD is 16 months old, and has been extremely happy and settled more or less since birth. She started going to nursery for 3 (shortish) days a week when she was about 7 months old, and settled very quickly and well. My concern is that while all the children of my friends have gone through clingy phases at some point where their child cries at being left, mine (with the exception of a few days) hasn't. While she seems happy to go home at the end of the day, she also doesn't seem overly excited to see me when I pick her up. While obviously at one level I'm thrilled she seems so happy (and realise it must be a nightmare having to leave a crying child), I wonder if it's normal - I was reading somewhere that lack of attachment anxiety can be linked to failure to form strong bonds in later life. The health visitor also seemed to think it odd as clingyness is a normal behavioural stage. She seems perfectly happy when she's with me and DH as well, and is very responsive and affectionate. Am I being neurotic ( a family trait I'm afraid) and should I just be grateful I don't have to peel a screaming child off my leg every morning. Thanks

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
peanutbutterkid · 14/02/2007 21:11

mmmm -- yes, be grateful. Children have an infinite capacity to surprise you, it could all change tomorrow.

ssd · 14/02/2007 21:16

give it time!

pinkbubble · 14/02/2007 21:18

My DD didnt have a clingy stage until she went to Secondary school at the sweet old age of 11- big shock for me!

hippmummy · 14/02/2007 21:26

yes, be grateful!

My DS1 is 3.6 and the same - I used to take him to toddler group and wouldn't see him all morning. He started pre-school and didn't even look back on the first day when he got in the door

DS2 is the total opposite - he is 16 months and I'm only now able to leave a room without him following me, have never left him with anyone except DH as he used to scream if he couldn't see me!

scoobydoo99 · 15/02/2007 13:15

Thanks guys. I'll wait for the inevitable and enjoy it while it lasts. TBH its a godsend as DHs family lives a long way away and she doesn't see her grandparents very often - it's great that she's not at all shy with them and is happy to be fussed over when they see her.

OP posts:
elclose · 20/02/2007 14:20

dont worry it will come later!!
dd4 was not clingy at all untill about 3 then she had a bit of a faze, ds 16months still not had clingy bit yet

New posts on this thread. Refresh page