I'm a single mom to a 19 mo.old. I adore him, but as a first time mom, I'm unsure if he spends too much time around me? He'd much rather follow me into every room (bathroom too), instead of playing with his toys or watching a video. Some toddlers sit happily in front of a TV but mine doesn't. I prefer he not watch too much, but a little more space from him would also be nice at times. Even if we are sitting in his playroom, he jumps on me, makes smiley faces at me, does "toddler babble" at me, etc. If I get up to leave, even for a minute, he gets upset. It's cute but sometimes hard.
I work fulltime and he's in daycare, otherwise, I'm with him. I take him everywere I go since I also don't have family that can watch him. Sitters are expensive, but occasionally I know I probably need to have a night to myself since I never do anything alone.
Do more experienced moms feel that he is just being a typical toddler? Do we spend too much time together? I never want to neglect him.
2007-01-13 12:30:40 · 14 answers · asked by Singthing 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I have 4 boys yes it is very normal and why would you want a child that you could plop in front of the tv, he sounds like a bright boy who loves his mom, enjoy it while it lasts they grow up fast and you will be taking a back seat to his friends, He spends all day playing with toys, he missed you thats all, you must be a great mom or he would be in front of the tv or finding toys more fun then you, shame on the moms that sit there young children in front of the idiot box
2007-01-13 17:29:28 · answer #1 · answered by melissa s 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
normal. I'm a stay at home mom, so my kids were with me a lot, and they did the SAME THING. I thought they'd never leave me alone. My daughter was more independent than my son. I thought he'd never learn to play on his own.
Try putting him in a high chair in front TV or with some Toys/activity or Cheerios etc. Leave the room where he can't follow you, but keep talking to him from the other room. He'll be upset, but let him be for a minute, then come back and reassure him. Also arrange playdates. If you get to know other moms in the area perhpas you could even swap babysitting.
As he gets older he'll get more engaged in his toys, etc. and you will have a few minutes to yourself.
2007-01-13 12:44:45 · answer #2 · answered by apbanpos 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're probably not going to like this.. it's perfectly normal but you still need to make him spend time away from you occasionally .
This isn't one of those things that all kids grow out of. I know kids as old at 9-10 that still do it, including following their mother into the bathroom.
It's good you don't use the TV as a babysitter, he's more interested in watching you and that will help with his social skills. Try finding a kid who's close to his age or even a little older for play dates in your home. It'll help him transfer some of his attention to the new friend instead of you.
2007-01-13 12:38:02 · answer #3 · answered by sassydontpm 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My 17 month old is the same way. He constantly wants to sit on me and do the baby talk thing. I spend 24/7 with my son as I'm a stay at home mom. I don't htink you could ever spend too much time with you child, but I understand what your saying. I can't even take a shower w/out him getting into everything and driving me crazy. I don't really know the answer to this except I think we just have to love them and have patience. I think that they just love being around us and playing with us. We are probably more fun to them then some old toy!
2007-01-13 17:59:48 · answer #4 · answered by cinnycinda 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My Youngest is a 22month old boy and i also have a special needs child (cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus) and they both follow me around.. to the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, everywhere! lol..I've made a game with them not even realizing but i walk then stop walk again then stop turn and run then stop lol.. I feel like a mother duck with my ducklings behind me lol.. It gets them in a playful mood and will keep the game up with each other so i can do my own thing.. SO yes he is being a typically toddler.. however when its just me and my baby here i don't mind him following me but i do get my days of just wanting a Lil me, myself and i time.. so i just let him cry..We are there protectors and best friends we are there comfort. They are just learning independence.. I just think of it as in a few years we're going to be chasing them around lol wondering where they are or what there doing. They grow quick so i just take it in as something special.
2007-01-13 12:52:28 · answer #5 · answered by SiKofPsYchos 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perfectly normal! With you also being a single mom and the only parent he knows, he will demand ALL your attention... You will have to allow some time for yourself too sometimes. He will have to learn to stay with granny maybe for a weekend? You do have to have some "me time". The fact that you dont want to neglect him, makes you feel like a "bad mother" when you do feel enough is enough right? It's totally normal... you do need some time apart sometimes - otherwise things will get difficult for both of you.... You sound like a gr8 mom...
2007-01-13 13:28:19 · answer #6 · answered by iluvafrica 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son loves being with me-playing, reading, brushing his teeth with me, coloring-we do it all. lol-but he has never really cried when i left the room until recently-since i haven't been working and i've been home for the last couple of weeks-we've spent alot of quality time together and now i think he doesn't want to lose it and is afraid im leaving him for good. If i go to do laundry and he see's that im gone and starts to cry-ill stick my head out of the room and say "im here its ok" i might have to do it 2 or 3x. I'm expierencing almost the same thing-and my son is 18 mo. I think it's just another phase.
2007-01-13 15:05:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately it's normal.... he probably had some separation anxiety around 7-9 months too. Just keep doing what you're doing. Maybe you can find a friend that also has kids to watch him while you have some alone time. Then you can return the favour to her.
2007-01-13 12:44:35 · answer #8 · answered by naenae0011 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The clue is in HIS mother. I have had 6, 3 of each, and boys cling to the mother, and girls to the father.My boys are now 53,40 and 39, and all still lean on me more than the girls. The girls ask me questions, and advice and call me regularly, but the boys almost cling!! I have one who lives across the country with a lovely wife, and 3 kids of his own, and still calls me several times a week. children learn from the same sex parent, but cling more to the opposite one.
2007-01-13 13:16:35 · answer #9 · answered by dm_little 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My 17 month old is like that...she follows me everywhere. I will walk out her room to go do something and not to long after that I hear mama mama....looking for me. I have a small job working a few hours a week so she is constantly with me. I think in time she will become more independent.
2007-01-13 14:48:05 · answer #10 · answered by mckt81 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋