18 Month Old and Clinging to Mommy (long)

katezta

My DD has become a nightmare in the last few weeks.  Besides the tantrums which have started full force, she is having what I assume is separation anxiety, but only with me.  She becomes hysterical when I leave the room.  She is a daycare baby and has been since about 4 months old.  Yesterday, I picked her up and she was fine.  We drove home and my DH met us in the parking lot and got her out of the car.  She started crying then at 5:30 and only stopped for 20 minutes to eat dinner and when I was on the couch holding her or when I held her while she watched Daddy cook dinner.  She didn't want to go outside with me to the playground, didn't want to sit next to me, didn't want to play, and asked to get out of the bathtub (Daddy time) because I wasn't there.  When I am home before DH in the evenings, she cries hysterically and grabs at my pants and lays between my feet on the floor.  I try to ignore her or tell her that mommy is cooking and can't pick her up.  This has been going on for a few weeks now.  Do you think it stems from the fact that she has been sick on and off for the past 2 weeks? 

 Any suggestions?  I am at my wits end.    

ecoppins

I have no idea, but am writing to give you support. Dd is much clingier when she is sick, so maybe...

You'll get through it. Good Luck ((hugs))?

MrsAmers

There is a developmental spurt at 18 months and my DD had a phase of separation anxiety at the same time, and several of her friends did, too.  For us, it took an hour to get her to bed because she didn't want me to put her down in the crib.  (Before this, she would go down awake after 10 minutes of reading books.)

I would just do your best to get through it and it will get better.  Maybe spend the weekend filling your freezer so you don't have to spend as much time cooking in the evenings?  Also, focus on having family time with all three of you to try to get your DH back in favor again but with you still in the room.  You might have to leave chores for when she's asleep, but its worth it if her awake time will be more pleasant.

I promise it will get better!
 

beachbride19

My DD has been super clingy to me (only me) for the last week.  If DH tries to do something for her, like get her more milk, she fusses and cries until I get up and do it.  I undnerstand your pain.  I'm thinking it's just a phase.

katezta

Thank you so much for the replies.  I tried to be firm and ignore her tonight.  I just hope this stage hurries up and moves along. 

jlw2505

it could be due her being sick or it could just be a phase.  I know my 2 year odl has gone through phases like this, where only I will do and she does things like you are talking about.  I hold her when I can and also try to distract her or keep her involved in what I'm doing.  If I'm cooking, I pull up a stool next to me and hand her a bowl and spoon and let her "cook".  Stuff like that.  She will get past it in time.