3 year old VERY VERY clingy

[Mumma971]

My darling little boy is 3 years 4 months old. He’s smart, funny and has energy to burn since the moment he wakes up! He’s thriving in pre school - loves to sing, dance etc.

im having two problems, one? He’s very clingy to me! It’s not your typical clinginess for example I’d be sat right next to him and he would cry and say “I wanna see you mummy” he won’t go to his grandparents without me having a meltdown, he used to love sleeping over at my parents house now he won’t go! Nursery he will go on in but he has to be reassured I’ll be picking him up. My hubby and I haven’t had a night out or in for over a year, I rarely go out because he just wants me. He won’t play independently at all in the house or outside or even in soft play! I’ve tried every trick in the book and I’m just drained from it😔 - second thing HE WILL not go to bed or stay in bed! He doesn’t nap during the day, his bedtime is 7pm but by the time he’s finished getting up and wanting me to hold his hand etc it’s 10pm! He will sleep until 2/3am and want in beside me, says he’s scared but he has a night light on and his door open. My husband has tried but all he wants is me, I don’t get 5 minutes to myself. I’ve completely lost myself because of it all and I honestly don’t know what else to do😭

Ive wanted to post for so long but I’ve been scared incase I’ve come across as a bad mum. I love my little boy with all my heart but I just need some sort of life back! Any advise welcome x

No advice but solidarity. My child is 4 and sounds the same as yours. I just try to think that I'll miss these days when he's older, but that doesn't help much at night when you're exhausted and still battling a young child to go to sleep.

It is not uncommon for kids his age to be clingy and to have separation anxiety.

You could put a small bed in your room to limit the nighttime disruption. A night light is no comfort when all you want is a human!

Make sure you get out when you can as it can get a bit overwhelming.

Thanks girls for the replies. Honestly the clinginess is draining. I took him to gymnastics a few weeks back thinking he would love it but as soon as the leader took his hand he cried and had a meltdown. Even though I was sitting there a few meters away watching him. He wanted me to come and do the stuff with him🥴 I just don’t know what else I can do. Xx

It's very tough when they are so clingy. We've had moment like this too. How is he with your husband or your parents if you're not there? My DC had phases where she was incredibly clingy to me, but if I wasn't around she was fine with other people.
For the gymnastics, mine would also have found that a very difficult situation - in a new place, seeing Mummy nearby but having to go off with another person. I would suggest that either your husband takes him to gymnastics, or that you ask whether you can go in for a few trial sessions. My girl had this with ballet - wouldn't enter without one of us, but the teacher was fantastic and let me go in for the first few weeks until she felt comfortable. Now ballet class is her favourite time of the week. 😊