Clingy behaviour
At times your child will be clingy it helps to remember that you and you're partner are the most important people in your
child's life. A fear of strangers and separation from you is completely natural it is known as separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety
This is the developmental stage when your toddler gets upset when you leave him, even if it's only to leave the room. It
often starts at around nine months and can go on well into the second year, or even longer.
Learning to handle separation is difficult for parents and children, but it does get gradually easier. there are many ways
to deal with it you could try the following:
- Keep the separations short at first,
when you need to leave your toddler, especially for the first few times, try
to keep separations short and allow enough time for your child to get to know his carer first.
- Reassure your child that you will be back
- even quite short partings, such as going to nursery for the morning, may
be difficult. Always take time to talk to your child in advance about what's happening and reassure him you'll be coming back.
- Never just sneak away
- even though goodbyes can be upsetting, it's less worrying for your child than if you just
disappear. Be positive and upbeat and try not to string out your goodbye. Taking ages to leave or acting worried only passes
on your anxiety to your child.
- Try to be patient
- if your child clings to you even when you're simply going about your everyday business at home
or at the shops, try to stay calm and carry on. It may not be easy to make lunch or talk to someone while your child's clamped
on to you, but he'll feel more secure soon.
Above all try to be patient your toddler will eventually feel ready to be more independent. Although it may be hard to
believe when you are in the middle of it, many parents miss this behaviour once it's over.
