My 8 yr old son is acting clingy is this normal?

Question

I have been divorced for 6 yrs with a 8 yr old son. The last few months when I drop my son off at his moms house he does not like me to leave. It takes 10 mins just to get him out off the car not crying just stalling. Then he hangs on the car or wants to show me something anouther 10 mins. He never does this when his mom drops him off at my house. I know there is no problems at his moms house so what could it be???

Answer 1

I went through a stage like this when I was around your sons age. In my case it was my mother. I didn't want to leave her side, and I clung to her constantly.  

It's probably just a phase that he's going through, and since you are the parent of the same gender, you are the one that it is being applied to.  He's probably just realizing that he identifies more with you than with his mother.  

Is there anything special that you have been doing with him? Maybe if his mother started to do that with him also, it would settle things down a little bit. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

He sees her as the reason you are not in his life 24/7. He's growing up and starting to understand.

Answer 3

Does his mom have primary custody?  If so, he probably just misses you and wants to spend more time with you.  My ex and I have been divorced for 7 years and there have been periods in which our daughters, at different times, have been more clingy with one of us than the other.  Just this summer, our youngest daughter (9) seemed to be attached at my hip.  At the same time, our older daughter (11) wanted to spend more time at her dad's.  You and your ex might want to speak with him to see if something is going on.  Although it's difficult, you should both try not to get your feelings too hurt over what he might say and don't take anything too literally.  It's been my experience that kids tend to go through periods of wanting to spend more time with one parent vs. the other.  Just try to accommodate where you can and remain supportive of your son.  The worst thing to do would be to say anything that might make him feel guilty about longing for a parent.