[TopsyTurvy]

As the title says he is such a mummy's boy, it's driving me mad.

If we are home and it's just family he is fine to wander away from me and do his own thing.

Same as at the grandparents house.

But go to playgroup, the park, have one of my friends with children over, or go to someone's house who we might only go to once a month or so and DS, clings to me and cries and won't play, unless I am at his side playing.

To be honest, it would be nice to have a friend over and be able to sit and have a chat, or drink a coffee in peace. Ditto to playgroup. It would be nice to actually have the to chat with the other mums and maybe make a new friend or two.

He has never been to CC (28mo) and other than at the IL's house never been left without me or DH.

Any tips on how to get him to be a bit less clingy and hanging off me crying and whinging "mummy, mummy, mummy"?

[Natttmumm]

I don't really have many tips but just wanted to tell you DD1 was like that and it made it hard to catch up with friends etc. by about 3.5 she did change. She is still really clingy and uncomfortable with some people but mostly ok if we have met the people a few times. Any new friends are hard work but our circle of friends are fine.
Nothing I did worked except to just put up with it and let her sit with me. I wouldn't blame it on not going to cc as DD1 did go 3 days per week. She was ok there as she had been going since she was 16 months so felt comfortable.
Hang in there

[BeeStrong]

My DSD is like that now and she is 9!!! Even if I drop her off to a birthday party she won't go and play with her friends until I leave.

We went to one of her friends birthday parties last year at the local pool,and since DSS would get upset about missing out on swimming if we left (and it was a pool party, extra eyes are always helpful) DP, DSS and I moved away from the party to swim without interferring. DSD followed us, even when the other children come up to her and tried to get her to play with them. These are the kids that go to school with her 5 days a week.


My DSDis even like this at DP'S Parents house where she goes to alot


So Good luck and I hope you find something that helps.

[Alpha_Chook]

DS is the opposite to that...he is fine when we are out and will socialise with other kids and play independently....its when we come home that he turns into a clingy mummys boy haha

[Ianthe]

There is a lot of benefits to having a clingy child. You don't have to chase them around when you are out!

[bettymm]

My DD was extremely clingy and really didnt enjoy playing with other children till arond you sons age..it slowly started to improve.

She is 3.5 now and finally i can sit and enjoy a coffee while she runs around with other children and i dont have to clamber around on the play equipment with her! She will even go up to to childen she has never met at the park, library etc and play with them.


Just give it a bit more time perhaps? When my DD was in this stage, i avoided catch ups with large amounts of children and organised a lot of one on one play dates with similiar natured, gentle children. I also started her in family day care at 18 months but tbh she started flourishing there socially at the same time .. close to 3. So im not sure if it made much difference?. She still clings to me when i drop her off but she has a blast with the other kids as soon as i leave.

This post has been edited by bettymm: 30/08/2012, 09:29 AM

[jhatfield]

I am having the same trouble with my DD who is 27 mo. Whenever we go somewhere like playgroup or out with friends with other kids or to the playground she always says she wants to go home and will often come to me crying because somebody has upset her. She either likes me to be right next to her or will come and sit in the pram by herself just waiting until we leave (of course when I actually do want to go its a different matter!) She is also fine to play away from me at home or at grandparents.

I personally think its just the age. I think around about when they turn 3ish they begin to socialise a lot more with other kids and become a bit more independent and get over their fears and insecurities - I have seen this with my friend's kids who are a bit older. That is what I am hoping anyway. I know it is really annoying cause you can't just sit down and have coffee and a chat - I find it especially difficult at playgroup as I only ever get to have 2 second conversations with the other parents but I do try and stick close to her to try and help her feel secure - and like I said, I'm hoping its just a phase which she will grow out of and one day I will actually enjoy going to playgroup myself