My dc3 is 22 months and has always been more sensitive and clingy than my older children. Since he was a very small baby he has wanted to be attached to me for large parts of the day and has rejected any other adult trying to engage or play with him unless he is sitting on my knee. (He loves DH but only if I am there too!) For example, my older ones go to play with the neighbours' kids quite often, but if I go over there with him he will cry and hide in my shoulder if one of the adults so much as looks at him and cling to me for dear life if I try to put him down. He is fine with other kids, very sociable and not at all shy.
I've been trying to be patient and reassuring, assuming it would get better as he gets older but just recently it has been so bad and we're all suffering; if I try to give one my other dc a cuddle or read a story he will scream and hit/push them off my knee, if DH tries to change a nappy/do an activity with him while I have a shower/settle him in the night he will cry for me and sometimes get so distressed he makes himself sick, I can't leave the room to fetch him something without him crying. Last week we visited family and he would scream every time anyone spoke to him for the first 24 hours although he did warm up a bit eventually.
We have been away for much of the last 3 weeks, he has had a mild virus and hot weather has disrupted sleep all of which will have had an impact but I am just exhausted by it and feel something has to change. I don't know what I'm doing wrong or how to fix it! Anyone had similar? How did you improve things (or did it get better on its own)?
I should say I am currently a SAHM whereas I was working when my other dc were this small. When it's not summer holidays it is just me and dc3 every morning so he gets lots of undivided attention. We have no family nearby so he is never left with anyone. He is due to start nursery in September which I half can't wait for and am half dreading as I can't see it being popular!
I'd be very grateful for any tips or experiences you can share!