Help for my neice

Ljojo

I watch my 18month old neice for about 3 hours a day during the week.  It used to be great because she gets here at 1:30 and would play with DD until 2 and then everyone goes down for a nap.  All of the sudden it's like a switch flipped and now she cries the second she walks through the door and clings to me and will not go near my DD.  She even points to the pack n play and wants to take a nap as soon as she gets here.  My SIL says that she wouldn't go near her grandparents either during their visit on Sunday. 

Is this just a phase or is there anything I can do to get the girls happily playing together again?  I don't want my DD to be upset either, but we have no idea why her cousin all of the sudden doesn't like her. 

littlemermaid

Most likely a phase.  Does she eventually calm down after a few minutes or does it go on all afternoon?  18 months is a time when children go through a separation anxiety phase.

Ljojo

She takes a nap and then when she wakes up she's fine until she sees my DD and then the crying starts up again until her mom gets here.  I guess luckily she is here over her nap time, I'm not sure if she would cry the whole time though.   

WhitePicketFence

At 18 months, it's most likely seperation/stranger anxiety. It's very common around that age for toddlers to become fearful of others they perhaps don't see on a daily basis. It's just a phase and should hopefully pass soon.

Ljojo

Thanks, I'll just give her some time.