The 2 year old who wants held all day

[SunshineMama]

This is a partial vent/partial question.

My part time 2 year old dcg keeps asking me to pick her up, all the time, or she wants to sit on my lap all the time.

1. I dont even hold my own 2 year old all day.
2. I am so big and pregnant that theres not really much room to hold anyone anyway.
3. I'm having minor contractions on and off and am pretty sure the baby will arrive in the next two weeks, max, and her asking me every 5 minutes "uppie" is really irritating me (I know I am being overly-sensitive but this is how I am feeling).

So this is what I do: I tell her that I can't pick her up and hold her all day, but she can go and play toys with all of her friends. I say it in a very nice way. I do give hugs to all the kids periodically and make sure that they are each getting some personal attention and love. I have had her part time for 2.5 months now and all day it is the same, "uppie."

Am I doing something wrong? Should I just keep telling her that I will not hold her all day and she needs to go play toys? She doesn't cry or get upset when I tell her to go play, she just keeps asking over and over, every 5 minutes, like nails on a chalkboard.

[daycarediva]

This is a partial vent/partial question.

My part time 2 year old dcg keeps asking me to pick her up, all the time, or she wants to sit on my lap all the time.

1. I dont even hold my own 2 year old all day.
2. I am so big and pregnant that theres not really much room to hold anyone anyway.
3. I'm having minor contractions on and off and am pretty sure the baby will arrive in the next two weeks, max, and her asking me every 5 minutes "uppie" is really irritating me (I know I am being overly-sensitive but this is how I am feeling).

So this is what I do: I tell her that I can't pick her up and hold her all day, but she can go and play toys with all of her friends. I say it in a very nice way. I do give hugs to all the kids periodically and make sure that they are each getting some personal attention and love. I have had her part time for 2.5 months now and all day it is the same, "uppie."

Am I doing something wrong? Should I just keep telling her that I will not hold her all day and she needs to go play toys? She doesn't cry or get upset when I tell her to go play, she just keeps asking over and over, every 5 minutes, like nails on a chalkboard.

I have a tiny little 2 yo dcg that does the same thing. She is held CONSTANTLY at home, and I do mean ALL THE TIME. Either by Mom/Dad or by her aunt who lives with them or by her teenage brother. It's awful. I just tell her that I can't hold her but I can give her a big hug. So she gets a hug, a five, and a pat on the head.

[Blackcat31]

I don't think you are doing anything wrong. Some kids just want to be held.

I think you should just keep on doing what you are doing and eventually she will feel a bit more comfortable and realize she isn't going to be held all day.

I think that you don't always have to answer her either. I am sure it can get annoying and somewhat hard to listen to all the time but I would just stay consistent and she will get it soon enough.

I try to sit on the floor and let the kids sit next to me but NOT on my lap. I always tell them my lap is for babies.

[cheerfuldom]

I dont do holding for 2 year olds at all, ever. I would start telling her to "go play" and if that doesnt work after hearing it for a couple days, I would just ignore the asking. you cant be picking her up and you need to get her ready for the transition to a newborn in care. I do know its annoying but eventually she will give up. I think allowing it sometimes or giving attention for the asking (even explanations) is encouraging it in some form because even if she doesnt get picked up, she gets your attention for awhile. direct her to the kids and the toys over and over till she gives up.

[Heidi]

I don't think you're doing anything wrong, either.

Maybe you could say "I can't hold you right now, but how about a hug?....ok...thanks! Now..go play with your friends"

[SunshineMama]

Thank you all for your input. I will just stay consistent and hopefully she will get the message soon