Hi,
My 17 month old son seems to have some separation anxiety but only with certain people.
His dad works from home and whenever he has to go upstairs or to work, my son will be absolutely hysterical and devastated that he is leaving. Sometimes almost panicking that he can't see him or find him? Now there have been some work events where dad has been away for a week (within the past 3 months there have been two instances) and he was fine both times when he was away. After he would return also fine but then when it would come to back to work it was back to the panic and devastation. I think this might be related?
When it's just me and him, if I leave the room there's a bit of panic but then he comes and finds me or hears me and he's OK. He doesn't really play on his own, I am trying really hard to encourage it but he wants to be with us or play with us.
My mum watches him 3 days a week (I returned to work 2 months ago) and he has the same reaction with her whenever she leaves the room or is out of sight. Going to the toilet he's upset, if she leaves the room to get something he's absolutely devastated and hysterical again.
I'm trying really hard to show him that whenever we leave we will be back, and both hubby and my mum are doing the same and communicating to him to try and help him understand.
Today my mum was unwell so hubby's parents came to watch our son and he point blank refused to go to them and was so upset he ended up tiring himself out and falling asleep! This never happens. My husband ended up having to cancel any meetings he had today and my in laws went home because he just didn't want them at all and was just panicking loads when his dad would disappear.
(not sure if it is related but my mum is very hands on and interactive and playful with him, constantly socialising and just basically a super gran he loves her and my dad) - husbands parents aren't as playful, sometimes don't really know what he's wanting, just not as interactive as my parents which is fine and clearly still trying to learn what he's like but there's a very clear difference between and he's quite unsure sometimes.
Has anyone experienced separation anxiety like this? He did have some separation anxiety at around 6 then 12 months and it started to ease and was even fine when I went back to work. The biggest one is when dad leaves the room especially today, what else can we do to help him?
Any help or tips appreciated!