It actually gets harder.

AnabelsMama

Recently my 2-year-old has started telling me in the morning, "Mama stay home!  Mama not go to work!" and then bursts into tears.

Of course she is fine once I tell her she gets to play with my parents all day, but the guilt and sadness stick with me all day.

Is it her age, because she is so aware of everything and has so many opinions?  Does it get a little bit better again when they get older? 

jf198400

Try not to read too much into the things she says at this age.  My 2yr old DD will say something like "Where's Daddy, I miss him soo much."  This makes me feel bad, until 2 seconds later she says "Where's Shelby (our dog) I miss him soo much"... Shelby is downstairs and we just saw him a minute ago before we walked upstairs.

KathrynMD

DD didn't start this up until very recently - and all she really says is she wants to stay home, but it always seems to be when I tell her she has to do something (put on her shoes, etc.).  I feel for you though.  Just be firm about it - so she knows its really not an option.

CrazyToast

Yes, my 2yo is also doing that kind of thing at night (we don't see each other in the mornings).  It kills me but I know she's fine during the day, and she will be ok. 

Kie310

Oh  my god, the day that happens to me I think I will die right there. My son has never said that to me (yet) I didn't even know that could happen!

groovygrl

Sorry to say age 3 has been the hardest for me but a lot of that has to do w/ the fact that we moved and therefore switched daycare and then they were part time and then full time again, etc... DS was crying & clinging to me for several months around age 3 & it was definitely harder than when he was a baby or young toddler. GL, hope it is a short phase for you!

itsmevkb

Monday I was off from work and so I asked my son if he wanted me to pick him up right after school so that he wouldn't have to go to the after school care and his response was "no mommy, pick me up at the normal time."  Talk about heart breaking in the exact opposite way.  So yes, at some point things change as they get older.

KathrynMD

itsmevkb:

Monday I was off from work and so I asked my son if he wanted me to pick him up right after school so that he wouldn't have to go to the after school care and his response was "no mommy, pick me up at the normal time."  Talk about heart breaking in the exact opposite way.  So yes, at some point things change as they get older.

yes - I've been told not to come early a few times too.

Its sad but funny.

AnabelsMama

KathrynMD:

itsmevkb:

Monday I was off from work and so I asked my son if he wanted me to pick him up right after school so that he wouldn't have to go to the after school care and his response was "no mommy, pick me up at the normal time."  Talk about heart breaking in the exact opposite way.  So yes, at some point things change as they get older.

yes - I've been told not to come early a few times too.

Its sad but funny.

My husband does pickup at my mom's house and LO screams when he gets there because she doesn't want to leave.  Hmmm...I wonder if my mom is spoiling her.... 

amberdanielle68845

I read a sign at a craft show a couple weeks ago that said "My kids aren't the problem, grandma is" and this cracked me up bc it's definately true sometimes!

saraboston

I completely agree. When she was really little it was almost like I was getting a break. Now that she's doing interesting stuff, I feel more like I'm missing out. She loves going to DC, but she still asks for mama and daddy.

EmilyStL

That's rough.  My DD is 20 months and she practically pushes me out the door saying "bye!" some mornings.  I dread her getting older and saying things like that, though.  I remember awhile back a FB friend posted about her 3 year old telling her he missed her during the day, and how hard that was for her to hear.  After reading that I now purposely tell DD I missed her when I get home from work, so if she does say it I can figure she's just copying me.