Very Clingy Toddler

[carouseleve]

Hi everyone, Ive heard that children can have stages of clinginess, but thought they got over this by toddler stage, but my DD is a nightmare, if I go upstairs she screams, if Im downstairs she screams, or if I go to peg out the washing, or in the garage, she shouts "mammy where are you", if Im a second out of sight her whole mannerism changes and she becomes angry which in turn can turn into a tantrum, its really hard to deal with. When she does find me she's sobbing "mammy I shouted for you". She has had a very bad stutter as well which is getting worse, she has seen a speech therapist who says it should eventually go but I just wondered if anyone else has experienced this ?

Hi Carouseleve, yes, DS2 was/is very like this. He's nearly 3 now and is gradually getting better. Things that have helped have been: trying to stay calm about it (easier said than done!), sending him to pre-school a couple of mornings a week, letting him know exactly where I'm going to be at any given time (eg, saying "I'm just going outside to hang up the washing") Also, having lots of playdates with friends (DS2 has an older brother, so we have lots of playdates), to dilute the need for mummy all the time. Now that he's older, I can also rationalise with him a bit more, but he is still ridiculously clingy for a 3-year-old. I think some children are just more that way inclined. It is bloody hard work. Good luck, it does get easier!