how do you deal with a clingy toddler?

**jdsmummy** · 02-06-2008 13:33

My Ds is 18 months and gets very clingy.
Dh thinks Im too soft and shouldn't pick him up all the time, but if I dont it ends in screaming or even a tantrum.
Should I pick him uo when he wants me to? Or should I sometimes say no?

**JJJ&D'sMum** · 02-06-2008 13:40

My DD is 15 months old and can also be very clingy at the best of times. I usually pick her up but sometimes I ask her to wait until Mummy has finished doing whatever. She's usually pretty good and will wait a minute or 2 but not too long.....her patience levels aren't that good yet hehehe.

Can you try the same thing? Ask him to wait a minute or sit on the couch and get him to climb up to you for a quick snuggle then get him to help you do something so that you have your hands free.

IMO - A child can never receive too much love and affection so you can't smother them....you can only LOVE them.

Good luck,

CC

**workin'mumof2** · 02-06-2008 13:41

id pick him up but thats just me. i just think its love and effection.

how would u feel if u didnt get a hug or a kiss when u wanted it?

thats how i see it.

or if ur busy say 5mins and then pickk him up (i have to do that because i have 2 but he understands most of the times but i see plenty of trantrums coz he has to share mummy)

**jdsmummy** · 02-06-2008 13:59

So do you think giving cuddles and picking him up will help him feel more secure and in time this phase will pass?

**workin'mumof2** · 02-06-2008 14:04

like all phases, they pass. he might be teething? my ds is clingy when he teeths. only time i get cuddles from him usualy. so i love it. soon he will grow up and u will want cuddles

**Ffrenchknickers** · 02-06-2008 14:10

Originally Posted by jdsmummy

So do you think giving cuddles and picking him up will help him feel more secure and in time this phase will pass?

Although< it doesnt mean letting them get away with tantrums lol.

**jdsmummy** · 02-06-2008 14:14

Yes he is teething. I thought the same as you but Dh was making me feel like I was giving into him. I have just been looking on the net about clingyness and it says it is natural and that ignoring them or telling them off makes it worse!

**jdsmummy** · 02-06-2008 14:17

No Ffrenchstar I agree! He had tantrum yesterday so I let him scream it out. When he stopped I then gave him a hug and we played together!

**OneNowOneLater** · 02-06-2008 15:14

My DD is only a few weeks older than your DS, and i'm going through this everyday.

One thing that normally works for me, is to tell her to go tickle the dog or the cat. It gets her attention diverted just long enough for me to slip out of her grasp. Another option i normally use is asking her to help me what i'm doing. For example, she puts away the milk back into the fridge.