Thursday, January 26

Separation Anxiety x 1,000,000

So, I've been back to work for almost 5 weeks.  Things have been going pretty well.  I'm up at 5 to pump and shower and all that good stuff.  I'm downstairs by 6 to wash my pump stuff, clean a few bottles, and wait for the nanny.  Sometimes the girls wake up while I'm getting ready, sometimes they don't.  I'm in the habit of waking Colby up (which I actually really, really hate because I know he needs the sleep) because I don't want him to panic when he sees that Mama's not there anymore.

See, the return to work has made Colby super super Mama-clingy.  He's usually pretty good about letting me out of the house in the AM with minimal tears or begging for me to stay, but when I am home there is no escape.  I can't shower, do laundry, or even run up to check on the girls without him needing to be with me.  If I leave him he breaks down in hysterics and it breaks my heart.  I know it's probably just another phase of separation anxiety but it's killing me.  I feel so badly for him that he gets so upset and on the other hand, I'm feeling a little run down that I can't get 2 seconds.  Instead I literally have to carry him up with me just to peek in on the sleeping girls.  (I have to carry him because he's in this "I don't want to fall" phase.  *sigh*  Phases.)

So I guess I'm asking for suggestions?  I kind of hate the thought of breaking this phase simply because I love to be wanted, but at the same time it really can't be good for him to be so dependent on me, right?  I mean, I've read a lot on child development during various courses and this just seems a little excessive and that makes me nervous.

3 comments:

IAmStacey said...

I don't know how you do it all! Davie is in a very clingy stage right now too - I haven't peed by myself except at work in two months! But at least she's not a year yet, so I'm sure she's lighter than a 2 1/2 year old. And she wears me out at just 20lbs!

You guys will find just the right routine. You've got so much on your plate! I hope the classes go smoothly for you. Wish I had some advice.
iamstacey.wordpress.com (blogger commenting is giving me a little trouble)

Leah said...

I wish I had suggestions, I just want you to know that you're not alone. My daughter is in it, and has been in it since. . . well, she started becoming a human and less of a baby. If I shower, she pounds on the door screaming and crying (which means I take a lot of showers with her, even though she doesn't need one), I don't go to the bathroom alone, laundry, etc. And I completely understand you needing 2 minutes. I feel the same way. And leaving for work with a child who is screaming leaves a lot to be desired.

I've talked to her pediatrician about it, and I keep hearing this is a phase. Well, she's been in this phase a while, and I'm hoping it will just sort itself out eventually. Thinking of you.

Stace said...

Thanks Leah! Scarlet sounds just like Colby! "Mama, I was s-ower with you!"