2 and half year old experiencing separation anxiety?

Question

When my daughter reached 2 1/2 years, she began to cry each time she was dropped off at babysitter. She never did in the past. We're confident that there's nothing bad going on with babysitter (our sister-in-law).

Is this just a stage that we should expect? Should we just ride it out? What other things could be causing this? How should we address it?

Answer 1

You need to sit down with her and ask her why she doesn't want Mommy or Daddy to leave.  She is 2 and a half and should be able to say scared or mean aunt or something else.  It is important for her to know she can talk to you too.  My daughter is almost two and going through a similar stage, however we know it is because she is un-happy at daycare right now.  If you think it is something else then just ask your sister in law if she has noticed any unusual behavior and other such things while in her care.  

Good Luck,

Momma_Bear

Answer 2

My daughter is about 2.5 and does the same thing at times. She stays with my sister in law or mother in law now and then, and sometimes she's fine and dandy when I leave, and other times she cries and fusses and throws fits until I get back.

Try finding something special she can have only at the sitter's house, and make a big deal about it...a special toy, or snack, or routine that ONLY the sitter offers her. I remember my favorite sitter as a child was an older lady who had a small tea set, and we would always have tea at her house when I was there. It was special and only happened when I stayed with her, and it helped me feel better about being away from my parents. It helped that the teapot made music...hehe

Answer 3

It is possible, especially if she is only crying for a short time after you drop her off, and not all day long while you are gone.  My daughter has always been great around people and never had any problem with going to them, but as a toddler we have had some instances like you mentioned.  We have a regular sitter we use, and I was using a local daycare as a backup.  At first, she loved daycare, but then all of a sudden she started clinging to me when I tried to drop her off and cried and all.  It was terrible, but they let me know she was fine after 15 min. at the most.  As far as that situation, I thought it was most likely the fact that she was not totally comfortable walking into a room with other kids she didn't see that often, and where she didn't get immediate personal attention the minute we walked in the door like she does with our regular sitter at her house.  It was a tough phase, but we got thru it and later on she was fine when I had to drop her off there.  At the regular sitter's even, we have had literally just a few times in the course of the last 3 yrs. when my daughter has thrown a fit when I had to drop her off and leave for work.  It was nothing that lasted, but it was a couple days here, another day there, nothing that has become a constant problem.  I'd just take it as a 'stage' for now, as long as you are sure there's nothing serious that may be causing the behavior.  As I said, I've seen it with my daughter, so I know it can happen.  Just make sure you drop her off and don't linger too long (I know, it's hard and you feel bad!), and make a big deal when you come back to pick her up.  Give her hugs and kisses and let her know you missed her while you were gone and ask her all about her day!

Answer 4

This is really typical of that age.  I've volunteered to watch toddlers for many years at my church.  They definitely go through phases of separation anxiety.  The most successful parents reassure their child that they'll return and then quickly leave.  Drawing out the leaving only makes the situation more dramatic.  Most kids calm down quickly after their parents leave.  

Answer 5

Here's a link to an article about it.

http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/...

Answer 6

could be but also could be babysitter not someone she likes being w

you could talk w her she can talk right?play w a puppet to get her to

answer basic questions/don't plant seeds in her mind/keep it simple