A 3 Year Old That Clings

Tghis is common in all kids. Try to get him in plygroups with other kids. Start with parenting meetings. Call help me grow they will help. Dont worry all kids do that at some point.

Hi Chris! Well, my oldest who is now 6, was like that when he was 3, and I think it was because he wasn't around a lot of other people outside of the family. My neighbor used to run a daycare, and we put him in there for two hours a day, three days a week so I could relax or go grocery shopping, and he became much more outgoing. He was only in the daycare about 6 months, and it worked wonders just expanding his horizons. He is now very outgoing, and my two younger children have been exposed to people everywhere we go. I learned to let them interact early, and neither of them have had any shyness issues at all. They are now 3 and 2. When you are most of what he knows, you tend to become his "security blanket" and he wants you all of the time. I relate to the shower story, as my son used to sit on the floor and color while I showered. It became very annoying to have an extra leg. Then I would be cranky, which made him cranky, and this way, we both got to relax. :) good luck, and I do think he will grow out of it. Encourage him to spend time with other kids, or even alone entertaining himself with a book, or some games, or even *gulp* a movie! I know, it is supposed to be horrible, but with three kids, some days Dora saves my life. I just pop in her DVD and I get an hour of peace to do work. :)

It probably is just a phase, however, I have learned ( I have an 8yo boy, 4yo girl, and 3yo boy) that distraction helps a lot. Try putting some "special" toys up and only get them out during this time that you need to yourself. He will think of it as something special for him and you will get the time you need.

My son is 17 Months old and he does the same exact thing. I think its just something every child goes thru at different stages of their lives...I'm sure he will get over it soon.

Hi Chris. I have a two year old and she did that also at a younger age. But now she can be left at certain places without caring that I'm leaving her. I used to not be able to leave her at church in the nursery where she new the place and the people. Sometimes if I would even leave her with my sister she would be upset. But now she says goodbye and gives hugs and kisses. So I think it is just a stage. I used to ask when will it be over?! I used to be a stay at home mom also and now I have a part time job. I think for me and her I had to stop spending so much time with her to maker her not so clingy. It was really hard to do but I would start leaving her with close relatives and things like that and having her around more people really helped. So I dragged on but I know what you are going through and trust me it is hard but it's just a stage!!
God Bless~
A.

Your husband is right it is a stage. Maybe he should be involved with an interaction club where mommys and babies meet in a group setting and the kids learn to interact with other children. He basicly plays alone unless you do something with him so in his eyes you are his "best friend" if you could find a really nice day care for a few hours a week then you could enjoy a moment for yourself and he could learn to play with others. It will do you good and the guilt doesn't last long. Believe me you will feel better about yourself. If day care is out of the question, find someone you has children his age and do a mommy swap where you could drop him off for a few hours and she could do the same on a different day. I did that and I survived 5 kids so I hope that it works out for you.

I think it is a phase my daughter went through that a couple months ago and she is olmost 3 she is doing better now. But she still goes through that. Maybe he is trying to get more of your attention. It is really hard when they are like that I know how you feel.

My son is almost 3 and occastionally has thoes phases as well, everything that I have read and heard and experienced for myself raising him is to let them cling. It helps them feel secure and eventually they will not need to cling anymore. It works for my son. If I tried to "push" him away (not physically) but to get some me time he became more clingy and unsure of himself, including the things that he had already mastered. So now I let him cling, but I also model behavior for him: when he tells me he wants to be left alone, I say "it's ok to want to be alone, sometimes people just need to be alone" and respect his wishes (within safety limits). Thereby modeling the behavior I want him to do. It works really well. He feels respected, secure and has started understanding that when mommy needs to be alone it doesnt mean I love him any less!