Spin-off From "... DCM's Jealousy... "

[DBug]

So what do you guys do when a child is crying and reaching for you at pick-up time??

I used to have a 2yo dcg that would do it every night, now I have a current dcg, same age, who does it once in awhile. She did it again on Friday evening when dcd picked up. He lifted her up to leave and she started screaming "Mommy!" and reaching for me to take her. He kind of stepped closer so I said "M will give you a quick kiss goodbye!", gave her a kiss and then turned away to busy myself so that they'd leave. She kept screaming of course, while dad dragged her out the door.

After they left, I started feeling guilty about turning my back on dcg. It's what I've always done in this situation. But is that what you guys do too, or do you have another way of dealing with it?

[Heidi]

no, I think you handled it right.

Let's put it this way...how would you like your dcp's to handle it when they leave in the morning and the hysterics begin? Keep it short and sweet and let YOU handle it, right? So...now the shoe is on the other foot.

Transitions are tough for toddlers, but she needs to learn to deal. She has secure attachments with both her parents and with you. That sounds like an awesome thing!

[Ariana]

There's really not much else you can do I don't think. It stinks that she'd rather stay with you but it might just be a power struggle between her and dad. Ignoring it and doing what you did is not feeding into that power struggle. I currently have a DCG who was similar. Didn't want to go with mom, big power struggle at pick up each day. It was to the point where I was putting on her shoes before mom came...she has since calmed down and accepts that she is in fact going home