DS is one and since he was about 8 months he has not been happy around any adult who is not me, DH or his granny (my mum). He won't let anyone else hold him. Usually he will be OK if other adults are in the room as long as one of us three is also present but on some occasions he's not happy at all and basically screams if the other person even looks at him.
We went to lots of activities during my mat leave (I've just gone back part time) and if the activity leader ever needed to pick him up (to sit him on a wee slide or soft play block) he would just wail. The HV and others have told me it's normal at this age, but why then do I not see other babies doing it at our groups? All the other babies will engage with the activity leaders in some way, sit on their knees, let them tickle them. Having people over is exhausting because he won't let me out of the room to make tea or go to the toilet. It sounds terrible to say it but I actually feel embarrassed that he won't sit with any of his aunties or his other granny if I have to go to the loo. He has to come with me. It's actually easier if I don't have people round or go to see friends because I can leave him playing quite happily (in a safe place) while I do things if it's just us two or his dad/granny. But if anyone else is there - no chance. Not seeing people is obviously not the answer though, and it would make me absolutely miserable.
Being back at work 3 days has been good for me. I've only been back 2 weeks but it feels like such a break. When it gets to Thursday I actually feel sorry that I won't be in the next day, and I feel dreadful saying that. I thought about increasing my hours to 4 days as I'm enjoying being back so much but I don't feel it's possible because I couldn't ask my mum to take him 4 days (she takes him 3 days and I know it's very tiring as he's still not at ease with my dad) and I feel there is absolutely no chance he'd be alright at nursery, and don't want him to get seriously distressed.
Apart from just needing a rant (thanks for reading), I have to ask - has anyone else's baby been like this, so distressed around people he knows but isn't as close to? Did it get better? When? HV says there's nothing I could/should be doing as it's a natural phase but I'm just exhausted. We're going to a friend's house tomorrow and I'm dreading him screaming if I need the loo and having to tell my friend he won't be OK with her holding him. And hoping there's no one to one interaction required between activity leaders and babies at our Gymboree class on Monday.