Overly affectionate dd

[thisshitisbanana]

I need advice as it's driving me mad now .
I have 3 dd. Middle dd is 12. She's very very affectionate.
When she leaves or enters a room she will either go up to my or dh and say 'love you ' ! Come over and kiss you on our face , arm, neck etc.
It's not a quick peck . It's constant and it's driving us all mad. I always respond ' love you too' but she will do it at the most inconvenient times for example, I'm in the middle of dinner , cleaning , getting the youngest dressed .

Two weeks ago , we were in a packed school uniform shop with all 3 dd. I was literally running around the shop trying to find a right size uniform . Every time I passed her she would pull down my arm and try kiss me face and say 'love you '!
I did say to her it's not the right time at the moment.
She's the same with my eldest dd. Eldest dd isn't really affectionate and doesn't like her personal space invaded .
They were both sat in the back of the car on Friday night and dd kept trying to kiss her cheek . Eldest dd screamed at her to leave her alone .

How can I handle this ? She's very sweet and gentle natured . We try our best to divide our attention between all 3 girls but it's actually driving us mad now .
I want her to feel she's loved but it's too much with all the affection.
It's like it's a habit she can't break.

I would say it's probably a phase and to try and make sure you're getting regular one-on-one time with each of your kids. I don't doubt that you love her, but maybe she feels a bit insecure about it, and some regular really focused attention will help.

My heart melt reading that! But I also understand that at times it's a bit annoying, as I have a dd like that.

I try to give her loads of attention and cuddles/kisses when I am getting her dressed, brushing her teeth, putting her to bed etc. And if I am passing during the day I will randomly ask her for a cuddle so that she feels like she's got my attention.

I definitely notice that she is more clingy when I am busy, or dealing with her older brother, so it may just be an attention seeking thing?

I only have two and they constantly fight over me so you must be going crackers with three! I think just loads of reassurance and affection from you whenever you can will help her.

It's more than likely a phase, very common at 2, like the pp said.

Sorry, just re-read your op and realised she's 12, oops! But basically I would do the same, although perhaps let her get dressed and brush her teeth by herself

A pet?
Never be over loved!!

Shes 12 not 2 marcia if I’m reading it right.

Sounds like she’s very insecure. Have you sat her down and talked to her about personal space?

I'd guess she's looking for reassurance.
Perhaps you need a chat asking if there's anything bothering her.

Could it be an OCD thing? Like she worries something bad will happen to you if she doesn't say it?

It does sound like it's rooted in some sort of insecurity if it has to be so often.

Watching with interest. Similar issue, though less bothersome to me, but still a bit puzzling, for sure...

My 12 year old is the same. She has high functioning autism though and it's definitely down to anxiety and seeking reassurance. There are times when it makes me sigh gustily inside but I also try to think of how worried she must be about something she can't even name

My son is the same and can get 'too close' at times. But he is 8 and autistic, I just remind him that sometimes these things are inappropriate