Seperation Anxiety?!? HELP

My boys have never cared if we left the room, and they have stayed in the nursery at church without problems. But within the past month and even worse this week.. they are FREAKING out if dh goes in our room in the mornings to get ready for work, or goes to the bathroom. During the day, if it's just me and the boys, they dont really freak out if i go in another room or not, but if dh and i are both home and one leaves the room or leaves, they wig out. I can't really leave them in the nursery anymore because they cry and cry.. sobbs. Even their granparents whom they absolutley adore and have had no problems being left with before, they kind of tear up a little if i leave them with them. I am at a total loss.. and im about to lose it! what do i do.. isnt it late for this?? HELP!!! do i need to start taking them to mothers day out or something a few days a week to help or will that make it worse?

 

All of my kids have gone thorugh seperation anxiety several times in their short little lives. So, I would say that it is normal. For me, it seemed as though it hit about every 9 months or so. Just reassuer that you will be back, give them a kiss and a hug, tell them you love them and leave. They will cry, but likely just for a few minutes.

I know that in some ways when they are older, it is harder to deal with the anxiety as it seems like they should be over this, but it comes and goes. Weather the storm and it will pass. Good luck.

 

My girls have both gone through their times of separation anxiety where they scream when I leave the room and get real clingy. It comes and goes in stages, but I've found that it mostly occurs at times where they are tired or hungry, so it helps if I adjust their nap schedule or feeding times, or give them a snack or sippy.

I also just read two great books, Babywise for 5-14 months and Toddlerwise, that really helped me get better at setting the schedule and the rules. I think the more consistent I've become about the rules and the schedule, the more secure they feel.

I've also found that sometimes they just need a hug (don't we all?), and I stop what I'm doing and hold them and usually after a few minutes they are happy again and ready to play. I make it a regular thing now, and I have my "morning hug and kiss," "lunchtime hug and kiss," etc. I think it helps them to know that their special time with mommy or daddy will be there.

 

thats a good idea.. i think i will find a mothers day out that meets regulary and make that part of our routine, so that they know when i am leaving and when i am coming back. thanks!