Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months

Anyone else's DC HATE being left alone?

How did you handle it?  Most of the time, for me, it's just not worth it to leave him in his crib while he completely melts down.  When he was taking 2 naps a day, i could get my shower in relatively early in the day.  Now he takes one nap around noon, and I just need to be showered and dressed before that, especially since the morning is when we are out and about.  I mean, I can't even pee alone.  If I put him in his crib, he starts crying before I even leave the room.  He's FINE if I leave and he is with someone, it's just if you leave him confined by himself he goes ballistic.  And when I say it's not worth it, it's just that he will hysterically cry for however long, snot and tears running everywhere, the sheets have to be changed, it takes a long time to console him and it's upsetting to us both. 

FWIW, he's a great sleeper.  When it's nap time or bed time, we leave him in there awake and he gets himself to sleep.  It's just this whole not wanting to be left alone that is really draining.

I know I can shower before he wakes up or before DH leaves, I guess I am wondering if I should just deal with it and let DS be with me all of the time, or is I should do some sort of "training" or something.

He's 14 mos, btw.

Re: Anyone else's DC HATE being left alone?

  • DS pretty much hates to be confined too. Our shower is all glass so I have a great view of our entire bathroom. I've just started closing the bathroom and the toilet closet doors and letting him play on the floor of the bathroom with toys. He's perfectly content there since I'm still visible to him. We still have his exersaucer in the bathroom too but he hates to go in it now but will hang on to the outside of it and push it all around the bathroom and then play with the toys on the outside of it.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • Loading the player...
  • ::raises hand::

    We're struggling with this. If I have to do something quickly in another room, like go to the bathroom or grab something, I just leave him in his gated play area and usually I can get back before he really starts to freak out. If I have to do something in another room for a longer time, I just take him with me and set him up in that room. Sorry, no help at all, but I can commiserate.

  • Yes my guys do.  When I'm leaving the house with both of them, I used to be able to leave 1 baby in the house in an exersaucer or high chair or something while I put the other baby in the car.  Now the one I leave in the house screams so I have to carry both out to the car at the same time. 
    BabyFetus Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

  • This just started in our house.  If we're playing in the dining room and I walk into the living room to get something, she flips out.   Mind you, the rooms are connected and she can still see me.  If my husband and I are in the same room with her and ONE of us walks out, she flips out. 

    She has just entered a really tough stage.  My house is so fun right now.

  • Well, it at least makes me feel better that others are going through this!  It's really tough.  Obviously the blessing of having a little one supersedes everything, but MAN, is it draining.
  • Kids generally go in & out of that 'separation anxiety' thing.  I'm someone who feels that they need to work through it & get used to being somewhat independent.  My 20mo DD just went through a huge phase of it for about a month. Screamed bloody murder whenever I would even say something about leaving the room.  I just talked to her a lot, reassured her that mommy was coming right back, etc.  Over time, they start to trust that you will indeed come back as you say you will. 
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"