What Do I Do?

[CedarCreek]

6 month old dcg will not let me put her down or sit down with her. If I am not standing up and holding her, she will scream.

Should I call for pick up? Her older sister is here and i'm sure she will tell her parents I let her cry all day if I sit her down in her bouncer or something so I can pee!

There's no fever. I've given her medicine for her teething.

[Blackcat31]

Is she always so clingy? If not, I'd absolutely call for pick up as she is obviously not prepared emotionally or physically to be there.

If she is normally always that clingy, I'd put her down and NOT pick her back up. I'd spend time on the floor with her but NOT stand up or hold her.

Then I'd have a serious discussion with mom at pick up about why her child cannot have one-on-one care all day while in group care.

I wouldn't give two hoots what older sib says about what I do all day. I'd surely talk with mom about it though.

[CedarCreek]

Yes, she is always this clingy but today is much worse!

I think you are right about having a talk with Mom. This child might need a nanny, not me. Its going to be a huge problem when my other dcks come back from vacation if she won't let me sit or put her down.

[Play Care]

Perhaps I mean, but no way would I be picking her up and carrying her all over. If her needs have been met (and you know for a fact she isn't ill) and I had to pee, I would put her down to do so. I would use my words to reassure her *and* the other children. "Why Susie just seems to be having one of those days! We all have them!" "Susie is certainly practicing using her outdoor voice today - let's show Susie how to use our indoor voices!" in a cheerful, no nonsense voice. And I would let mom know that child was clingy/fussy and cried/screamed unless being held. I'd end that conversation with another cheerful, no nonsense "Of course, we did our best, but as you are well aware we can't carry children around all day!"

I also work hard to "break" older infants/young toddlers of the habit of being carried all over - I *always* sit to cuddle and if I do pick the child up, I stay in place and give gentle pats, then I lower myself to sitting. I will even tell the child gently but firmly "You are tooo big to be carried like a sack of potatoes!"

Hopefully this was just an odd day! Good Luck!

[My3cents]

At this age it is normal for the baby to want to be held. It is a fear stage. They want the comfort. If you leave the room or site line they cry. Very Normal. Have to work through it. If you have done everything for the child then it is ok to let them cry a little and just reassure that you are near. I give the child something to play with and take mind off of the lonely feeling they have....anxiety.

Good luck, not a fun stage.