Help Me Rhonda … Get Him Off of My Leg
So a ways back I did a post about dealing with the static cling, for when your toddler gets clingy. Most of these situations I THOUGHT would be related to having to leave your child somewhere, or having to be out of their sight. MY son however, chooses to be the exception from the norm.
Alex has his clingy times, just like any other child. When he’s tired, when he’s not feeling well, or right after he gets in trouble for something. All of those I understand, and can handle appropriately. When he’s tired or not feeling well, he gets snuggles and loves and whatever else he seems to want. When he’s running to me after he’s gotten in trouble with Daddy, he gets a “You know you weren’t supposed to be doing that.” or “You could have hurt yourself.” or whatever other message is appropriate at the time. After a few minutes he gets consoled (usually with diversionary tactics) by my husband or myself.
But now we’ve reached a whole new level of cling. And it’s NOT separation anxiety. When we are out somewhere, if I have to be out of Alex’s sight (perhaps we’re at a friends, or at a playdate somewhere) he could literally care less. He’s very secure, very confident, and seeks out others to play and interact with. But when we’re home ….
The last couple of weeks Alex has had a major case of the “Mommy Carry Me’s”. He wants my full attention 24 hours a day. And though he often gets it for the majority of the day, it makes doing things like going to the bathroom, or changing clothes, or showering, or cooking meals virtually impossible. He’ll do this when Daddy is home, and when he’s not, so it’s not a “I need attention from someone” thing, it’s a “I want Mommy to carry me all the time” thing.
So you know me, when I have a question or am wondering about something, I want an answer. Or at least a reasonable idea that might have some merit. I didn’t find any of that, but I did find a pretty good website, BBC-Parenting that had some pretty good ideas on the subject. Either way, I’ll not be doing anything about the issue for a week or so more, as Alex will be recovering from his ear procedure. And after that, even if he doesn’t need me to hold him, I’ll need it.
May 15th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
That is a tough phase, but my kids quickly grew out of it.
Thank goodness!
May 15th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Haha, I love how you call it static cling! Poor little guy just wants him Mommy at home, huh!? I can see how it would be hard to get things done around the house, though, with a toddler permanently attached to your hip! Hopefully he grows out of the phase soon… but in 15 years you’ll probably be wishing he’d still want to hug you all the time!
Oh, the phases of childhood…!
May 19th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
I hear ya! Sometimes I wonder how my little girl can cling so tightly to us. Usually to me but ours is opposite its usually just when we aren’t at home. Although she gets in her moods where she is stuck on me when I try to do the dishes, go to the bathroom, and even take a shower. She doesn’t like me being in another room from her so for that simple fact we took downt the baby gates leading into our kitchen and installed other baby proofing things so that I can actually do the dishes while shes awake. It gets tough but I know one day I’ll look back and long for these days so I intend to enjoy every minute. Take her with me on every errand and yes even let her be in the shower with me. Whatever makes her happy. I know I will cherish these moments later down the line!
Victoria
http://www.about-sandiegoca.com/
May 20th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
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