17 month old DS went to the childminder for just one month prior to lockdown and he was fine there. Then lockdown happened and he’s been at home since then, other than to my parents for one day a week while I work.
Three weeks ago he started back at the childminders for one and a half days a week and his sleep and mood has progressively been getting worse since then. The first week there he seemed ok but since then he screams and clings to me when I drop him off. He’s become clingy at home whereas before he was the complete opposite, he screams if I leave a room and constantly wants to be picked up. He won’t nap without a fight and is waking numerous times a night. We’ve tried co sleeping but he climbs straight out the bed and wants to go downstairs. We’ve also tried a travel cot in our room but he’s still waking inconsolable.
We went to my friends for a play date earlier where he’s been plenty of times before but as soon as I knocked on the door he cried and clung to me. I’m trying to give him all the reassurance and cuddles I can but each time he goes to the childminder he’s getting worse and generally seems miserable and it’s breaking my heart. He used to be sociable and loved playing with children. Is this something that will pass? Unfortunately I need childcare for those days while I work but it’s making me feel so guilty because it’s making him unhappy.