Is Your Toddler Clingy? It Could Be the Holidays

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

29 Dec 2008 10:25 AM

If you feel as though your toddler is attached at the hip, or maybe your leg, it could be the holiday season. Here is what may be causing the clinging and some ways for you both to cope.

The holiday season is a wonderful time, but it can easily leave a toddler overwhelmed. The schedule could be overturned, leaving normal nap times, meal times and bedtimes all askew. There may be holiday traveling and visiting that can upset a toddler's routine. And chances are that all of those family members that you haven't seen in a while are new strangers to the eyes of your toddler. On top of all of this, the holidays brings a lot of stress and business to the family. Even if this doesn't directly affect your toddler (he isn't up at three a.m. wrapping presents), your toddler can sense all of the tension and the bustle, making him uneasy. With that business may also be less attention for him who, up until this time, may have been the center of the universe (at least in his mind).

All of the above things can make a toddler more clingy. Perhaps he wants to be held constantly and won't even let you walk from one room to the other without clinging on to your leg. Perhaps he cries when you close the door to the bathroom or talk on the telephone.

Getting back into a regular routine as quickly as possible may help. Giving your toddler the extra attention that he needs right now is another good way to reassure him that everything is okay. Practice telling him that you will be right back and then leave the room for a few minutes. Allow him to follow if he needs to and give him a big hug.

If the clingy behavior is preventing you from getting things done, see if there are ways that you can involve him in your tasks, such as putting wet clothes into the dryer until your toddler feels more secure.

Distraction is another method to combat clingy behavior. Dole out the Christmas presents one at a time. Playing with new toys in the same room as you are occupying may be enough for your toddler.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

Related Articles:

Making the Transition to a Toddler Bed

Getting a Toddler to Eat

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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