I have a seven year old boy. We have always been big on hugs, kisses, and "I love yous." Anytime he walks in the door, out the door, every night I tuck him in bed, and thru the day.
I have a 3 month old daughter who he has never seemed jealous of. But, now he won't get off of me! If I sit down, he has to be in my lap. If I'm doing the dishes, he holds on my leg. He messes with my hair, etc. He'll say "Mom, I don't want to let you go."
I feel guilty when I have to pry him from me, and even more guilty that it's getting on my nerves. But, it is nonstop clinging on to me.
He doesn't seem jealous of my daughter in any other way.
Is this jealousy or something else?
Any ideas on how to get him to let me walk down the hall without him attached, but not hurt his feelings?
2007-03-05 07:39:40 · 4 answers · asked by jennifer74781 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I had the same problem with my son and I also believe that is was a jealousy issue. Your son was use to having all your attention and it's tough to share his mommy who he loves so much.
The way I got my son to stop clinging to me was keeping him constantly busy as my "helper." If he would grab on to me while doing dishes, I would say "Garrett, mommy needs to finish this up, but why don't you be mommy's helper and clear some plates off the table?" He would help get bottles and get stuff ready (like the wipes ready) for diaper changes. I also constantly talked to him about what an important job it is for him as a big brother and how proud I was of him. He stopped clinging eventually.
When you first brought the baby home, he probably was enamored by the excitement of it all. But now that it's been 3 months, he realizes he's not getting your attention as much and is jealous of that. I'm sure he loves his new baby sister - he just probably misses all the attention. You may also want to have special mommy-son dates to the movies, out to ice cream, etc, if you can swing it.
Good luck to you!!
2007-03-05 08:31:27 · answer #1 · answered by Jennifer C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was having a similar experience with my little one who's almost 6, and so polled a bunch of friends who say they have all had similar experiences at roughly the same age. Kids can not only have "actual" growth spurts, but emotional growth spurts as well, and the result can be this clingy behavior. I'm finding it's starting to get better on it's own, but if my child gets sick, we are back to square one....One bit of advice, don't be hard on yourself, guilt doesn't do anyone any good, and you do have the right to get annoyed, it's ok your only human!! By the way, I only have one child, so not necessarily a sibling rivalry thing, just a mom thing!!
2007-03-05 07:48:48 · answer #2 · answered by ducky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's jealous of the time you are spending with his sister...you need to make time for him and to let him know he is just as special to you as he was before his sister was born.
2007-03-05 07:45:31 · answer #3 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it sounds like he is scared of something, and is having anxiety issues. did you try asking what was wrong?
2007-03-05 07:50:16 · answer #4 · answered by brans59 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋