Help! Toddler has separation anxiety...
By squaretile
@squaretile (3778)
Singapore
December 21, 2009 7:40pm CST
My toddler has recently been exhibiting more and more signs of separation anxiety.
Usually, she behaves well, and can sit at a high-chair for half an hour whilst I have my lunch. But when I get up to go to the restroom for example, and she sees me walking away, she'll start crying. Or if she was occupied with her food when I left to collect something, she will have a crying meltdown when she realises that I'm no longer there.
Even worse, sometimes when her daddy who spends a lot of time with her carries her, and I'm right next to her, close enough to be holding her hand, she will cry and fuss because she only wants me to carry her.
I know this is a stage that all toddlers go through, but it's tough! And I wonder what I can do to make it better, and when it'll end?!
1 person likes this
5 responses
@anniege (202)
• China
22 Dec 09
You are not the only one mum who has the problem. At middle night,if i wake up and want to go to the toilet,she will start crying. My husband has no methord to stop her crying. But i have try to nurse her when she cries and she stops then i can leave for a while.
Maybe our baby needs time to be more dependent to mum.
Best wishes.
2 people like this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
22 Dec 09
i guess when you nurse her she falls back asleep and you can leave?
sigh, sometimes only mummy will do... :)
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
22 Dec 09
Hmm... this happened with the toddler that my mother is taking care of.
What my mother does is to keep reassuring her that it is okay. That she is not going to leave the toddler alone.
It will take a while to let the toddler be confident again on her own. So patience is a must at this stage. Even now, from time to time, the toddler will show some preference to be with my mother rather than anyone else in the family.
Keep reassuring her, and when she feels safe, she will not be having any anxiety attacks whenever you are not in the vicinity.
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
22 Dec 09
I think she's too dependant on u already.. U need to let her learn slowly.. By not meeting her demands all the time.. If not, it will be worse for u in the future..
LEarn to say no to her.. That's what my mom will do when she's baby sitting babies.. haha =D First thing she will do is, dun carry the baby so often, even though if they are crying.. hehe ^_^
Or manye u can get your hubby to take care of the baby as well.. Sharing the load, by letting her get used to father's attention and affection too.. In a way, she will know that, she isn't alone.. hehe
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
22 Dec 09
Every kid does that. I think as they become more independant like when they are in school it lessens in many ways. Or if you are lucky like me they are still glued to me when their friends aren't looking *LOL*
