my 2 year old

by Brittany
(georgia)

My two year old cries and throws a big fit when I leave him with my cousin and her twin boys. They are a month younger then him. He loves to play with them and he loves to be with my cousin but he hates for me to leave. How can I make this better for him when I leave him to go to work? I hate to see him cry and being so upset. I feel like I'm doing something wrong but I have to work to help my husband with our bills. I don't know what to do :(

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I know it is a gruesome feeling! All kids go through a stage like this, it is a natural part of facing the realities of life and makes him more able to know he can cope...ideally. Now...how to make it better:

One thing that worked for my granddaughter, when I sat for her and her Daddy left was to start telling her in advance, Daddy is going to work, Daddy is going bye bye. What really turned the trick was letting her go outside and wave to him as he got into his car and see him drive off. Who knows?

Also, you can spend a little time sending her "mind pictures." Yes. this will sound weird, but it works well for animals and hey, we are that smart, no? OK... send her mind pics like flash cards. mommy gets ready for work. mommy leaves for work. baby plays and has fun while mommy works. mommy comes home from work (most important!) so again, mommy comes home from work. Hugs baby, plays with baby, loves baby.

Baby needs reassurance, centered, calm, security, ....so hooking into his distress and going guilty isn't the best. You see that? He's there and needs you to lead him out of it. Know you can, show you can. just keep trying, and knowing he'll get it and be ok.

much love
Laura