My little guy turned 2 in November. He is smart, active, and great fun! And he loves his mama! When I leave him with some one else he has a fit (and calms down after a couple minutes). The thing I am struggling with more is that much of the time he won't let me leave the room. How do I encourage independent play?
THANKS!!
We went through about two (really long) months of the same thing with our daughter. Your little one is just trying to find a happy balance between independence and babyhood. He will work it out pretty quickly, it will just seem like a long time as you take your boy with you to cook, use the bathroom, walk into another room, move from the couch, change position in your chair .....Good luck!
My youngest is the same way. He will be 2 in April. My son doesn't stop crying while I'm gone unless its my mom that watches him. My friend's little boy was the same way and he is almost 4 and now he wants daddy daddy daddy so all I can say is enjoy while you can because you never know when they are going to change.
Hi S. I dont know if you've had anychange w/ your son but my little guy started going to playgroup through early intervention for a minor speech delay and the parents stay in the room at the beginning for about 30 mins then leave to go down the hall for coffee it has made such a difference in him I can finally go to the bathroom w/o him standing out the door screaming. I don't know if you have any similar types of playgroups in your area but I do know that the Early intervention playgroups have to leave a few slots open for children that don't get early intervention and that its a small fee to attend one if you don't have EI.
He's probably just going through something and needs the security of dependence right now to know that you are there. I would try to be patient and let him be that way. Ride it out. Don't make a big deal out of it and don't comment on it. Just let it be and he will find his way.
Hi S.,
My oldest was the same way. She had my full attention until she was 3, so I can understand her attachment. I would arrive a little early to drop her off at daycare, and have her begin playing with the other kids, or coloring, or eating, whatever would get her engaged, and then she'd get happy. Once I saw she was ok, then I'd "escape". The daycare providr said that my daughter would ask for me occasionaly, but once she realized I wasn't there, she'd just go play. It took a good few months before the tables turned, and she no longer wanted to come home.
Good Luck!
Mari
hi
I would suggest that you play with him for a bit and then quietly make an exit to another room while he is preoccupied. At first it migh tbe a minute or 2 but keep at it. As time goes onteh length of time he is alone will increase and he will learn it is ok to be by himself adn that you are just in the other room.
As for crying wth others..that is normal adn be thankful he does quiet down after a few minutes.
M.
They do grow out of it! My now 11yr old did the same thing.
We played a game of it. I'd go upstairs and call to him, "can you hear me!" or "come find me", just to reassure him out of sight doesn't mean out of reach. We used a timer too. I would tell him, come find me when the timer rings! I also talked out loud if I was in a different room so he could still know I was near! The separation anxiety when you leave is normal too. It should be reassuring that he stops crying after you are gone. Just make your good bye short and leave confidently. Hesitation may send your child a message that YOU are uncertain about leaving him there! Good luck!
