Clingy

When my son was a baby, and a toddler, I was very close to him. I am not sure if it was for him or myself, knowing my tubes were tied and I wouldn't have anymore kids. I realized that holding him so much and having so much closeness, while I liked it, I wasn't allowing him to grow up. So for his well being, I had to let him go. It was hard. He is now 7. I asked him not too long ago how he feels about me not holding him all the time, and asked if he still felt I loved him. Turns out the separtaion bothered me more than him. He don't really remember me stopping and still feels I love him. But now I can know that now he is more likely to be independent and not be so afraid of being in the world,like I was for a while due to an over protective mom. He does have selective mutism though, maybe as a result of my clingy behavior in the past, who knows. It is hard to force yourself to not be so clingy to your kids, but when they get older, it will help them to be able to do things themselves, without being so afraid that you aren't there every second. Like when they start kidnergarten.

I would try one of those slings that the baby can be in next to you, but your hands free to do whatever. They take some getting use to be are very helpful.

I'm having a similar problem with my 5 1/2 month old. She's fine at the baby sitter she goes to 4 days a week (hubby and I both work full time). But when we take her to visit family, she gets upset when I hand her off to anybody else. We use to be able to leave her with grandma so that we could go to dinner or a movie on occasion, but now she cries the whole time we're gone. It breaks my heart to think that my little girl is crying the whole time I'm away, so now I won't leave her with anyone other than her regular baby sitter. Maybe someone will come along to give us advice.

Hello,

I went through the exact same thing. I am a stay at home mom and my daughter will be two in December. If there is one thing I can tell you you have got to try and break this now, because it will only get worse when he gets older. It will drive you crazy if it keeps on. You have to be able to function and get what you need to get done. What I did with Emma was be consistent with his nap lay him down the same time every day no matter what. Now here comes the hard part you may have to let him cry(and you cry also) but he has to learn sometime he has to be able to put himself to sleep. If you teach that young then it will not be as bad when they get older. Give him undivided attention for a certain time and then he has to learn that Mommy has to get things done. He is still young and that it when it is hard. Kids just love their mommy and you are his safety net and it is hard for them to let go. My child went through stranger anxiety even with my mom. She would not go to any one unless it was me or her dad or sister. You have to be able to leave him for you sanity. DO NOT feel guilty for working on the weekend maybe he can sense that and plays on that emotion in you. Good Luck with this. I noticed someone suggested the sling. I never tried it but my mom tried to get me one when I was going through this. So I don't know try it and see you have nothing to lose. Thanks, C.