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Parenting

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Original poster

Feeling a bit overwhelmed with 15 month old

17 replies

arinah · 17/04/2021 12:20

DD turned 15 months last week, and has since been a lot different to what I was getting used to. For the past couple of months she's been happy to have some alone playtime, and hasn't been too fussed if I leave her in her walker (as long as a cartoon is on ). She's now being extremely clingy, doesn't like being left alone for a minute, and makes complaining noises constantly to the point where I have a horrific headache by the end of the day. I work from home and it's been pretty smooth for a while, but it's now back to me struggling to balance the two.
Now really sure what my question is here, would just like to hear others experiences with their DC at this age. Her fourth tooth is currently coming through, she wants to walk but gets scared by the thought of it, and also uses the noises as a way of communicating I think, because she doesn't say other words besides the usual ones, although being bilingual she does say mum, dad etc in both languages. Could it all be due to frustration and separation anxiety?

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OnlyFoolsnMothers · 17/04/2021 12:25

I always said between 1-2 years is hell! I worked from
Home on the odd day when my baby was 10 months old and it was so easy. The physicality of a near/ fully walking baby combined with their frustration at not having speech means it is exhausting (I would never have been able to focus on work). The tantrums were hell! All I can say OP is stay strong, they grow out of all these stages soon enough, just hell whilst in it.

Original poster

arinah · 17/04/2021 12:31

I work in customer service so not only dealing with her tantrums, but also grown adult ones as well! 😂 I hope this phase passes soon. It just gets a bit exhausting sometimes, having to entertain her in different ways despite having recently bought her quite a few things to play with to help with her development. If I'm not there then she doesn't care about the toys 😂

OP posts:

OverTheRainbow88 · 17/04/2021 12:49

Are you trying to work from home whilst caring for a toddler?

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aliensprig · 17/04/2021 12:56

Does she have to be in the walker? My son is also 15 months and learnt to walk in the last month or so. The time spent cruising on furniture, pulling up to stand etc is critical. Also wouldn't be letting a 15 month old watch too much TV - ten minutes a day is more than enough. Maybe trying to juggle working and childcare isn't an option anymore?

Zarinea · 17/04/2021 12:59

I have a 15m old and I do entertain her 80% of the time. The other 20% she dies her own thing but I'm constantly there (obviously) so she runs up to show me things or to have a babble conversation with me.

She doesn't sit still long enough to watch TV! Is yours feeling frustrated stuck in a Walker because she wants to be on the move?

Chocolatetrifle · 17/04/2021 13:07

Yes, that's exactly it, frustration and not being able to communicate feelings! I have a just turned 16th month old son and, he is my second so I'm aware if this stage. He is walking but screams if I leave his side even to go in another room and even if my husband is with him. He will scream if we come in from outside and he still wants to play. He can say a few words and he understands things I say as he will now nod and shake his head. I think this stage and the screaming from memory will go on until they start talking more. It's a hard stage as their independence is growing. Perhaps take her out of the walker and just let her cruise around the room and ensure there a few different types of toys for her to play with. I have to take my 16 month old to the toilet with me at the moment!

It will become very difficult for you to work from home full time with a baby of this age and stage of development as they are no longer happy to just sit there or sit down or be in a walker, they need to explore.

Good luck.

Original poster

arinah · 17/04/2021 15:57

Sorry I should've clarified - I only leave her in the walker for 5ish minutes with the TV on while I wash up in the kitchen, otherwise I leave her free to roam the house :) the children's centres will slowly open up so I'm going to look into some classes there so she can interact with other children but otherwise just wondering if this crabbiness is just a phase 😭

OP posts:

Vicky1989x · 17/04/2021 18:43

It’s probably due to teething. My DD is extremely clingy atm due to teething.

Original poster

arinah · 17/04/2021 20:43

@vicky1989x that's definitely one factor, hers are taking quite a while to come through so the pain must be dragging out for her :(

OP posts:

Vicky1989x · 17/04/2021 21:00

@arinah It’s horrible for them! My DD is 11 months and her first tooth is still trying to come through but she’s so miserable with it!

Bringallthebiscuits · 17/04/2021 21:09

I find my days with my 15 month old very tiring - and she is in nursery on my working days, so I am not trying to do both at once. She does get very crabby at times and needs constant 1-2-1 attention to stop her hurting herself. If you are trying to work at the same time that doesn’t sound sustainable or even safe.

rubyrose44 · 17/04/2021 21:23

That is funny, OP - I run a toddler group and today it just happened to be all 15-16 month olds (including my own kiddo) and we were all saying they seemed to be going into a clingy/over cuddly phase just now. Maybe it's just a stage! No ideas for helping you out but I hope it passes quickly 😂

Thatwentbadly · 17/04/2021 21:28

Both my girls were very difficult until they could walk.
Like other posters I’m asking are you trying to look after yourself and work at the same time? This is not possible to simply on a safety before you even consider her other needs and I’m surprised your work is on board with it.

Btw the walks that children sit in are not recommended as they can cause hip issues and delay walking. If you are using one then they need to be supervised at all times because they can easily tip.

Original poster

arinah · 17/04/2021 22:28

@Vicky1989x it's horrible isn't it, it makes you feel a bit helpless because other than the teethers and things like that, it's just a case of letting it happen!
@rubyrose44 fancy one more?
@thatwentbadly I didn't know about the hip issues, thank you for the heads up! To be honest it mostly remains unused in the living room, when we have lunch and I wash up, I pop her in there for a few minutes because she's a little rascal.
RE work, I'm a live chat advisor so it's nothing too strenuous, I only started this job in November as part of the WFH campaign. The thing that has made me hesitant about putting her in childcare is that I suppose I'm in the vulnerable category, having been given the vaccination, and I'd rather things calm down a bit on the covid front.

OP posts:

Giraffaelina · 17/04/2021 22:53

My DS literally only sits still whilst he is eating. And even that's a struggle sometimes. I eat when he does so whilst he is sitting in his high chair I can actually finish my breakfast / lunch. He has been walking since 11m old, he won't stay in his play pen (never has) and either wants to go outside or brings your toys / books he wants to play with. No way I ever could have worked whilst looking after him so fair play to you for managing it so far!

Giraffaelina · 17/04/2021 23:03

Sorry, I just realised that it didn't really answer your question about clinginess, it's just that your WFH comment caught my eye :)

Mumof3bb1 · 14/01/2025 15:32

@arinah hiii how’s your little one now?

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