Separation Anxiety while at home

Carmen - posted on 01/22/2011

yep! I know too well what you are going through. My 15 month old daughter wont let me do anything! I am so frustrated with her! I cook while her sitting on the the floor in between my legs. I go to the bathroom and she is there, she is constantly following me around, god forbid if I leave the room- all hell breaks loose. She wont go to anyone that is not me, her father or her sister. We had a friend watch her for a few hours on the weekend thinking we could go out on a romantic date-only to get back to find my poor friend horrified. My daughter had made her day so miserable. Now she wont even offer to babysit. You are not alone.

Natalie - posted on 01/21/2011

My 15 month old son has been doing this for months and its very FRUSTRATING. I cant wash up, i cant cook, i cant go to the toilet, he hears the gate go and thats its, come crawling over crying . stands up on gate and bounces up and down crying. I dont know where he thinks ive gone lol. I talk to him, i give him snacks, ive took him in the kitchen with me but then he gets bored so im back to square one. And im sorry to say i have not found a solution yet. The only think that works is, when he doesnt hear me go out, hes to engrosed in the tv, someones in the room with him, or hes terrorising the cat! LMAO, i think its one of those grow out things and maybe when they are confindent to be on there own. :-) Wish you all good luck.

Terri - posted on 01/21/2011

Me too! My DD is just 15 months and more often than not is as you describe. She also knows the sound of the stairgate, floor creaks & general noises that mean I'm attempting a break for freedom! She sometimes will stay with her Daddy or Sister in a room, but mostly she's my little shadow :-)
I seem to remember my first Daughter, who's now 3, going through similar phases, if not quite as intense, but she is now a happy & confident little girl who enjoys Nursery & time with her Grandparents away from me....it does get better!

Melissa - posted on 01/16/2011

My daughter goes through phases of this. Sometimes just picking her up for a minute works. A snack sometimes works. In the kitchen I put her in the high chair right next to me to watch me as she just wants to see what I'm doing. When I clean I give her things to help me - such as a rag, or the duster. She likes to play with them and mimic :)

And like someone else said - tell them what your doing. Sometimes though, it works better to not tell them your leaving the room - I can't tell my daughter I'm going downstairs for a second as she runs and chases me crying, so I sneak down there without a word :)

Caitlyn - posted on 01/12/2011

my daughter is exactly the same except it has always been this way.. very rarely could i do something on my own, no matter what i do or say the only way i can keep her happy is by giving her a snack if i want to do some cleaning or what ever. if not she is clinging on to my leg. she will play if im in the room but its got to the point if she hears the couch creek she will look for me and chase me crying.

Amy - posted on 01/10/2011

First, take her in the bathroom with you and teach her about the potty. This will help for the future. Now if you have to get up and do the dishes or whatever, call out to her while your doing it. Say "mommy will be right back, she always comes back". My daughter is fine on her own for 5 days, then for 3 days she falls to pieces every time I blink! So I know how this is!