Koalas

lewispm

Anyone else dealing with a clingy toddler? I know the "hold me" stage is short lived and I will miss it when it's gone, but I kind of thought it would be gone by now.

Anyone else have a child that wants to be held or carried around the house 24/7? Its constantly a battle of wills at my house to get anything done and unless we are out and about, he wants to be held/carried more often than not. Its mostly just at home and the grocery store, and if I am not actively engaging with him in play, I must be holding him. Its hard to cook, clean, or do pretty much anything with an almost 34 pound toddler on your hip!

 

nesenotes

What if you have him "help". Also POAS? Em did that the second I got pregnant. It's better now. I will tell her no and walk away. Or tell her to help me instead. That usually distracts her. It's also a pain but better than holding her.

Last resort would be the ergo. But I'm pregnant and pretty sure I should not lug a 40lber all over.

aylafsu88

Yes! It goes in phases where sometimes she is worse than others. Like this morning I had to hold her and try to get her dressed, pack stuff up etc. When I have something I need to do (like cook dinner) I try to get her involved in an activity (coloring, playing with a new toy etc). It will buy me 10 minutes to get something prepped or started. She does not do it very much with my H. He says it is because I give in and hold her to much.I don't know what to do about it. I figure this to wil pass and soon she will not want to talk to me (when she is a teenager).

lewispm

Meow84 said:

Yes. I assumed it had to do with the baby being born, but maybe it is a toddler phase. She is always asking to be picked up or wants to sit on our laps. Most of the time, I like the snuggles because I know it is short lived but it gets really annoying when I am trying to get something done or do something with the baby.

Maybe it has to do with his baby cousin? My sister lives in our neighborhood and we are constantly together with the new baby, so maybe you're on to something with the clinginess being related to that. He just now got to the point where he will even let me hold my nephew without flipping out. I hope it passes soon! I mean, my arms are toned like never before, but still. LOL

lewispm

roo1582 said:

Yep, Kayleigh has been super clingy too.  Though I kind of feel part of it is due to me being pregnant.  And its getting harder since I'm getting bigger.  I've tried to distract her, walk away etc, but nothing really seems to help.  I usually try to give her a quick hug and then its back down.  Or I just deal with the ensuing fit.

I try to deal with the fit when I need to, but since MH has been bedridden post ACL surgery lately (which also might have to do with the clinginess, now that I think about it), I feel like K is already out of sorts since daddy can't play with him and I feel cruel making him feel like mommy won't hold him either. I'm probably making things harder on myself, but I just feel bad for the little guy not understanding why daddy just lays in bed all day and cant hold him or play rough.

lewispm

summergirl1211 said:

Yes. She has been this way for a few months now and it drives me crazy! She will rarely go to my H so I'm usually carrying her around while she nudges me where she wants to go. When we went to the zoo on Sunday we didn't bring the stroller (she hates being confined right now) and would rarely walk normally, so I carried her most of the 2 hours we were there. It was exhausting. She's almost 32 pounds so I just told myself it was good exercise.

I did this at the zoo Saturday!!! I was by myself with him and originally brought the stroller in but he wouldn't stay in it and it was too hard pushing a stroller around and trying to keep up with him as well so we trekked back tot he car to dump it and when we got back in the zoo he wanted to be held the entire time! We road the train a few times and then peaced out because I couldn't handle it.

I actually ran into a high school friend of mine with 3 kids (all under 3) while there and she was like "is he making you carry him around the zoo??" while her 2 youngest were chillin in the stroller and the oldest was holding on happily to a handle on the side. I was embarrassed so I lied and said I just scooped him up so we wouldn't miss the train.

snickersforeveryone

Em has been doing this too. Constantly wants to be carried, and always by me. She's getting better about letting DH carry her, and sometimes she lets me slide with holding her hand, but mostly it's "Mommy, carry! I need you!" And really, how do I say no when she gets that anxious tone?

I'm hoping that by carrying her when she asks, it will help her feel more secure, but I'm probably just creating a monster. I'll be carrying her down the aisle on her wedding day.

pinkangelmoon

I was totally hoping to see some koalas in here lol.

Hopefully it's just a stage? I'm actually the one after my LO's picking them up (if we're out) because it's faster to walk that way sometimes and to avoid having them run off lol. They definitely prefer walking to being stuck in a stroller when we're out.  Do you have a wagon? It could help for zoo trips since it's more fun to ride and he may not feel as contained. 

For home what about something like this to help him feel included in tasks? 

https://www.amazon.com/GuideCraft-G97325-Kitchen-Helper/dp/B000SQNAQC

gonggirl_98

Add another clingy toddler here. Also, after a year and a half of happily going to daycare, she hates it. Doesn't want to get out of the car and cries when she's dropped off. It's killing me.

nesenotes

aimee223 said:

lewispm said:

I actually ran into a high school friend of mine with 3 kids (all under 3) while there and she was like "is he making you carry him around the zoo??" while her 2 youngest were chillin in the stroller and the oldest was holding on happily to a handle on the side. I was embarrassed so I lied and said I just scooped him up so we wouldn't miss the train.

What is this magic and how to people get their kids to do it???

My mom used to tell us it was either our hand or our hair X_X

lewispm

Ladyofshallott86 said:

Nope, my kid wants nothing to do with me even if she's hurt, sick or tired. Occasionally she will want daddy to hold her when she gets hurt but only for a few seconds. I love that she's independent but would love some cuddles more. The closest I get is if she wants to use my iPad she will sit next to me and sometimes lean on me...I live for that and it usually gets her extra iPad time....pathetic moty over here.

LOL. Its funny because, as much as the commiseration and "you're not alone" feedback I have received on this post have made me feel better, your reply really helped the most! I'm glad he still needs and wants me (not that Em doesn't need or want you) and I know he will be on to the independent stage before I know it, so I should just soak it up. I will repeat that over and over to myself as I try to cook dinner tonight (well... reheat leftovers. LOL) with him in my arms.