Are your kids after your attention all the time?

@marina321 (4556)
July 17, 2008 1:41pm CST
I sometimes think my child is very clingy and literally hanging off my neck and it is quite draining sometimes. The constant need for attention can be quite challenging to say the least. It is almost impossible to speak to someone on the phone without her constantly talking to me throughout or if we go out, she does not like it when other people speak to me. Only if it's other mums and she's playing with their kids while we have a chat. If it's other people, say my sis or my aunt, she will start speaking to me simultaneously as the other person speaks, singing loudly or grabbing my face or trying to hug me to make sure I am looking at and facing her. Overwhelming and yeah, it's embarassing too! We've been just the two of us for sometime and I can't envisage going out with anyone at the moment or later on as I can barely find time for me and loose my head in between the 100 mum-mum, mummy callings in the day.. Love her to bits but any ideas on how to stop this mind-numbing 'clinginess' before it drives me mad?
4 responses
Crimson888
@Crimson888 (72)
• Singapore
20 Jul 08
Children always want to get attention from their parents and relative because they does want to be left alone.. I have a 7 years old cousin and he is always clinging on to his father wherever his father goes... Even when his father goes to the toilet, he must also follow in... When his father asked him to go out, he would sit by the toilet door and cry... Maybe that is how a child act...
marina321
@marina321 (4556)
•
20 Jul 08
yeah, mine follows me to the toilet too! think that is normal to some extent as they do not want you to be out of sight..
bonnie
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
18 Jul 08
it depends on how old she is and if her father or someone else has deserted her. she may be afraid you will also. somehow you need a proffesional to explain to you how to go about reassuring her.
marina321
@marina321 (4556)
•
20 Jul 08
Agree with you on this one, though wonder if it's one for professional help or for time.. cheers!
jasyjen
@jasyjen (162)
• United States
17 Jul 08
Yes. I have a seven year old boy that is the same way. If he sees me hugging someone, he has to run over and get in the middle. He is always loving on me, talking to me, sitting on me, etc...... I look at it this way. There will be a day when they'll want nothing to do with us, and we will miss these days. They grow so fast.
click50
@click50 (68)
• United States
17 Jul 08
You don't say how old your child is but this could just be an age thing. Toddlers really think they need your undivided attention. As hard as it might be, you actually should try to get out now and then. This is not only for your sanity but it will help your child learn that it's ok to be separated for a while and you will return. Establish an age-appropriate consequence for your child if she interrupts your conversations. For instance, have a time out chair that she sits on for 1 min per year of age. If she interrupts you while you are on the phone, ask the caller to hold on for a moment. Look directly at your child and let her know that you will talk with her when you are through. And then after the first warning, place her on time out. In the beginning it will still be disruptive, but if you are consistent your child will learn that she should wait until you are finished talking before she talks herself.
marina321
@marina321 (4556)
•
20 Jul 08
yeah, she's 4.. Cheers for the handy tips I have tried them out previously for other naughty moments though not for the phone thing as it involves some amount of crying.. I also need to get out more.. I do go to work but no where else and think I need some chill out time some day!