Anxiety ina Toddler (bit long)

DS seems to be going through some anxiety this week, and I wonder if anyone has suggestions for ways to help him deal with it.

His Dad was home on medical leave for almost two months. During that time, we needed to suspend a lot of DSs usual activities (a playgroup, a music class, library activities, etc.). These were all things he enjoyed previously. Instead he spent a lot of time at home with DH and myself.

Last week, we started going out again, and this week we did a little more. Dad is also back at work. Not sure if we overdid it, but he has been very clingy both in and out of the groups. I can't walk from our living room to the kitchen without him crying, even if I tell him where I'm goign and that I'll be right back (which used to work). He doesn't cry when Dad leaves for work in the morning, but I wonder if he misses him and just can't express it. After dinner he starts chanting "Da, da, da" over and over (this is about the time DH comes home). He IS cranky in the morning after DH leaves for work, and cranky in general through the day this week. He's not sleeping badly though.

So, the question is, should I keep bringing him to things or give him some time to adjust to his life changes? I'm thinking maybe we should go to the music group (since I paid for it) but skip the other things until he seems okay with the music group. I'm also not sure how to handle times when I need to leave him with a babysitter--he cried and cried one day this week with his sitter. Again, she's been coming here a bit and he knows her, seemed happy with her before. I have some medical tests scheduled next week and he can't come with me, and DH can't take time off right now.

Thanks for any suggestions. If eel like this is rambling and all over the place, but I guess i'm not quite sure what would be best for him.

Re: Anxiety ina Toddler (bit long)

I think what you said is a great idea - start with with the music class since you paid for it and you want him to be happy going.

how old is DS? I know that Cailen went through a phase like that when he was abut 18-20 months - it came out of nowhere, but I couldn't take him to any group activties or people's homes because he would do exactly what your DS is doing - so, regardless of what is going on in his little world, it could have happened anyway, kwim?

Re: Anxiety ina Toddler (bit long)

Thanks for the reassurance and the hugs! DS is 15 months so younger, but this all could just be part of his development. Hard to say.

You are right, I should probably stick to one thing initially and see how he does. Today he stayed for about half the class, then got his stroller and headed for the door. So I finally guessed, hmmm I think he's telling me something!