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Toddlers: 24 Months+
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2 yo glued to my leg. All.the.time.

BerriGirlBerriGirl member
in Toddlers: 24 Months+

Hi girls. I haven't posted in ages, but I need help! My 2yo (soon to be 3yo in April) is, in my opinion, overly clingy and dependent on me. He's always been very cuddly, very much a fan of his mommy, and I remember over the past couple of years thinking that, "oh he's in his mommy phase..." but it's been going on for over 2 years. He's never had a daddy phase.

Now, it's to the point that nobody else, not even dh, can do ANYTHING for him. He instists on me, and ONLY me, getting him dressed, brushing his teeth, perparing his food, playing/reading, putting him to bed, comfort him if he wakes up, etc. If DH tries to do one of these things, he'll melt down, put back whatever he did for him or gave him, and beg me to do it over again. He'll also make up "emergency" situations for me to rescue him - getting stuck in a chair, under a table - and cry for me to help him (when he's perfectly capable of getting off the chair or out from under the table)!

This is ALL THE TIME. DH and I both work full time, and we have a 4 yo, so in fairness, Cooper doesn't get my full attention...

I was wondering if I should "force" him to let my husband do things for him? Like, take a day where I don't do anything, explaining to Cooper that Daddy likes to help him too and just refuse to do anything for him? Or, do I just continue with it because he clearly needs more attention from me, and hope that he grows out of it.

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Re: 2 yo glued to my leg. All.the.time.

  • MeesheMeeshe member

    IMO it's important for both parents to be able to help them.  What if you had to be away, you wouldn't want him to be upset then right?  I also have two, and we just don't let them choose.  They both both prefer me to do things, put them to bed, help them get dressed, brush their teeth, my DS (who is 2) will even refuse food when Daddy brings it.  When that happens he just sets it near him and says to let him know when he's ready to eat it.  Same with bedtime, we just say, it's daddy's turn tonight and daddy likes to spend time with you too.  I don't mean to make it sound easy, sure sometimes there is a meltdown, but for us, this really is important.  And it has gotten better, now my 2 year old at bedtime will say "it's mommy's turn...."

    If it's a priority for you, stick to your guns.  And I would probably start with being away for a day so they don't even have the option.  But in the end, they have to learn that sometimes daddy helps and sometimes mommy does...if this is a battle you want to fight.  Good luck!

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