Tips for separation anxiety/wanting only mommy?

umdbride

I know many of you have dealt with this so I'm hoping you have some good tips or tricks I can use. 

DS can be happily playing by himself or with DH, until he sees me and then he wants me.  If I sit with him on the floor to play he often grabs at me and tries to climb into my arms to be picked up, and he'll cry if I don't hold him, or when I put him down.  I'm trying really, really hard not to give in all the time becuase I don't want to reinforce crying = cuddles.

In the mornings after I nurse him I usually hand him off to DH to get him ready while I get ready for work.  Most mornings he's super happy to see DH until we start the handoff, then he'll fuss (sometimes cry) and reach back for me.  I go get ready and don't go back to DS until it's time to leave for work/DCP.

Luckily DS hasn't cried at DCP drop-off (he's always super happy to see DCP), but I feel like that's just a matter of time. I usually make drop-off quick with a goodbye kiss and happy smiles and waves so I'll be keeping that up.

Any tips or suggestions for how to get LO to not be quite so attached?  I love that he's snuggly but I want him to be happy with other people too, and I feel bad for DH especially.

Sofka

my DS is almost 18mo old and is very attached to me, he'll walk into the bathroom, grab my finger or hand and start pulling me off the toilet! DD was attached as well although I don't think to such an extent. In my limited experience, boys are more attached to their Mommies. Part of me gets annoyed (can I please pee in peace??) but part of me kinda likes it that he wants to be w/ me all the time, it's very flattering! I know, really know, that it does not last forever. Kids go thru stages of preferring one parent over another. I remember when DD stopped being attached and would not let me hug or cuddle her and I really missed it. That's why I don't mind w/ DS - I know it'll end and it'll never come back (we are done with 2). I would not try to do anything other what you are already doing, but accept it b/c before you know it, he will be telling you "go away, Mommy" and you will think "I would give anything to get back my cuddly son."

 

 

WinesNotWhines

I don't know if there's anything you can do. It seems to be a very common stage that kids go through. M is 16 months old and is still much more clingy with me than he is with his dad. There are random days when he's all over DH, and I love when I get those breaks.   I know this time is fleeting and one day he'll push me away when I try to hug him, so I try to enjoy it as much as possible (although it's hard when I'm trying to make dinner and he's clinging onto my leg for dear life).

Jitterbug2668

Sofka:

my DS is almost 18mo old and is very attached to me, he'll walk into the bathroom, grab my finger or hand and start pulling me off the toilet! DD was attached as well although I don't think to such an extent. In my limited experience, boys are more attached to their Mommies. Part of me gets annoyed (can I please pee in peace??) but part of me kinda likes it that he wants to be w/ me all the time, it's very flattering! I know, really know, that it does not last forever. Kids go thru stages of preferring one parent over another. I remember when DD stopped being attached and would not let me hug or cuddle her and I really missed it. That's why I don't mind w/ DS - I know it'll end and it'll never come back (we are done with 2). I would not try to do anything other what you are already doing, but accept it b/c before you know it, he will be telling you "go away, Mommy" and you will think "I would give anything to get back my cuddly son."

I'm forever saying that in my house as well.  Not only cannot I not pee in peace he must point out my hairy legs and poke my belly.  Boys...

I'm honestly not sure there's all too much you can do about it other than cherish it for now because with DS being so active and trying to be Mr. Independent there are times where he just wants to do it on his own and doesn't care to be cuddled.

 

smacb

Enjoy it while it lasts.  My DS was like that until a few months ago.  Now he's all about Daddy or doing things himself.

umdbride

Thanks ladies!  I really do love how cuddly he's become and I'm enjoying it while I can.  I just wanted to make sure I wasn't setting him up to be more miserable when I do have to leave him, or making it harder for him to be comfortable with other people.