Seperation Anxiety in a 2.5 Year Old

All kids go through this stage. The important thing is to not linger with the child while leaving or keep turning around as if YOU have the anxiety. The child picks up on this and some "milk it" for all it's worth to make you feel worse about leaving. Be confident and let him know you're comfortable with leaving him and that you'll be back soon. I know for a fact that as soon as you're gone, he's off and playing. Make the exit quick and painless. The stage will pass faster and smoother for the both of you. I have four children and tons of nieces and nephews. They lived through it and it's good for them to build some confidence in themselves. They socialize much easier later on in the beginning school years it "mommy's" clinging fades. It's hard because I dripped a few tears myself..... just not in their presence. Good luck! ____@____.com

from what i remember...this is pretty normal and shows signs of healthy cognitive skills...try getting to daycare a few minutes earlier so you can spend a few more minutes hugging and saying goodbye. ask the teachers to intervene/distract after a few minutes so you can leave without all the drama.

it is okay for you to take time off to look for work...you sound like you are motivated to make a better life for you and your child...no need to feel guilty for that...take time to give him extra snuggles when you can!!

Whether you’re going on a date night with your spouse or you’re returning to work after staying home with your little one for some period of time, you may find your child is crying and acting unwilling to let you go. How do you help your child through this separation anxiety?

1. Choose a babysitter through a source like Care4hire.com that your child knows and is comfortable with. For example, you may want to have your child be present during babysitter interviews. You can observe how the babysitter candidates interact with your child and an initial connection can develop before your child is alone with the babysitter. If your child is old enough, your child may actively participate in the selection of his new babysitter.

2. Choose a babysitter that will be an enduring presence in your child’s life. Your child will likely develop a bond with his babysitter, and if the same person babysits him year after year, a sense of security and comfort will develop.

3. Choose to keep your child in a familiar environment. Rather than taking him to the home of a babysitter he just met, consider having the babysitter come to your home. For your child, and for most of humanity, there is comfort in familiarity.

4. Choose your departure times wisely. If he is hungry or needing a nap, or if he is experiencing stress or restlessness for any reason, he will be more prone to separation anxiety than if you departed after nap and snack time, for example.

Don't fret mom this is perfectly normal behavior for his age group. He is becoming more aware that you are mom and he doesn't want to be seperated from you. I went thru the same stage and while some last longer than other he will out grow it. Some kids throw temper tantrums or cry like they are being hurt but it is nothing but growing pains. Don't draw out the seperation, a quick good buy and walk out the door no matter how hard he is crying. I'm sure you have done a fine job in picking out a daycare. Pretty soon he will be wanting to stay at daycare and not come hom and then you have another set if issues to deal with, all perfectly normal.

I own a childcare center and it is normal for children to experience this at some point. It can come out of nowhere as you said. Did he change teachers, classmates, classrooms? One thing I would suggest is getting there early, some children do not like walking into a classroom that is up and running. To some children it can be intimidating. I would ask if it is possible for you to come a little early when their numbers are low and you can walk him in sit him down give him a big hug and go. I wouldn't hang around but I would discuss with him how mommy is going to bring you in give you a big hug and I will be back very soon. A few other suggestions is to pack a picture of you in his lunch box and tell him if he misses you he can look at your picture and you will be there with him. Also, have him pick out a treat he would like to make for his class (check with the teacher first of course) and maybe you can make cookies, or cupcakes just for a special treat and ask the teacher to have him pass them out. This may help him to overcome any shyness, and even help him to be more assertive and comfortable with his friends. I know how hard it is, but it is a wonderful thing that you are doing trying to improve your life to give him a better life. I am sure he will be fine. Hang in there and good luck!!

Completely normal!! I wouldn't worry about it at all. There are times (when there are too many people around) that one of my almost 5 year old twins gets anxious.