My stepchildren follow me round all the time

[SpotTheTot]

I know I'm being a bit mean here but I feel so smothered sometimes.

I feel like my stepchildren just follow me round all the time and it's impossible to ever get away.

If I go in the kitchen they'll come (or one of them at least) to talk with me, upstairs they'll usually be not far behind and so on. I feel like I can never have two minutes without being followed or asked to play something or whatever.

I know it's nice because it shows they like spending time with me but I feel so smothered sometimes. Sometimes I just want to leave their Dad to do things with them by himself and go and do my own thing but they always want me to join in.

I know it's not a major problem to have but it was driving me bonkers last night. I just needed to rant.

Children follow people who make them feel safe.
So I know it's hard for you but you need to make their dad step up.

Ugh it’s so irritating when that happens isn’t it.
Thank god my kids are past that stage!

How old are they? If they are young (ish) they will likely outgrow this. More importantly, does their father do things with them or are you the default carer?

How old are they? Do you have children of your own? It's great that they like you and feel safe with you.

It’s quite cute.

But it’s what kids do. They like to follow adults.

Special dad and kids time. Make it something positive. Pushes him to step up too. Tell him he needs to take over for these times.

Also bring in 'SpotTheTot' time - again make it positive - as time for you to be by yourself.

Lockdown makes stepchildren contact more intense as you can't go out to get a break or take the children anywhere fun.I think you need to ask your partner to engage with them more so you can slip out the room without them noticing. Maybe go to the supermarket and do the food shopping to get a bit of space.

Urgh it annoys me when my own children do this.
I get to a point too where I literally cannot deal with being touched anymore.
I just get on with it then when they go to bed I go and have half an hour in a room on my own in the quiet

My own children and my SC have done this! It was annoying with both though I was possibly more polite with the SC and saying you need to find something to do as I'm going to do X right now or just giving them a thing to do.

SC's live with us and doesn't really happen now. They each have time where they come and find me and we have a chat about what's going on.

How old are they Op? It is annoying but I agree with the pp who say little kids follow whoever makes them feel safe so try to see it as a compliment if you can. Deep breaths!

Do you ask them to stop following you? Where's their Dad while they're hanging off you?

I remember that stage with my DSD; it does pass but it’s tricky when you just want a bit of time to yourself. I used to try and go out then feel guilty at going by myself.

It's funny, my cats do this too, one cat was following me around the garden earlier whilst I was doing the winter tidy up gardening lol 😆