I’m just looking for some advice from seasoned parents as I’m unsure what to do with my one year old (first child.) She’s just turned 13 months and till now has been great being left occasionally with people she knows, just a bit tearful when I leave but easily distracted. It’s the same when I leave a room, she can shout and try to follow but is happy if someone else is about.
A few weeks ago we did settling sessions at nursery. It was really good, she played and ate there no problem. She didn’t mind when I left for an hour. We did her first full day 2 weeks ago and she had a great time, but that night she got her first cold/temp 40 etc. She missed two days of nursery but is better now. However, since then she is mega clingy but only really for me. If I am in a room all she wants is cuddles- to physically climb on me and be as close as she can. If I’m not in the room and it’s her dad she will happily play with him- I enter and it’s tears until I pick her up. Nursery called me to collect her on Friday as she wouldn’t eat/drink or play- I brought her home and she was absolutely fine.
What do I do? Do I give her a few days of undivided attention from me to make her feel secure? Do I carry on as normal with nursery (3 days a week) so she realises I will always come back. Or is it unrelated to starting nursery and is a phase? I don’t know how to help her get used to this routine but I go back to work in two weeks and it will be a problem for me to leave to collect her if she struggles at nursery (I’m a nurse.)
Sorry that turned out really long!