Ask Amy- Surviving The "Only Mommy" Phase

Published: Feb. 8, 2021, 9 a.m.

b'This week\'s listener question comes from Rosie in our Facebook group:\\nMy little guy is in the \\u201conly want mommy\\u201d slash \\u201cmust be touching mommy\\u201d phase. Any advice on how to not go insane and to still get things done with a 26-pound, 17-month old attached to my hip? Disclaimer: of course i give him all the snuggles, and I know it\\u2019s just a phase. But I\\u2019m going a little crazy.\\nYes, the "only mommy" phase isn\'t forever\\u2013\\xa0and it\'s not something you have to train out of your kid. But it can be overwhelming while you\'re in it. It\'s okay for you to take breaks, and it\'s okay for your toddler not to like it. But understanding where it\'s coming from might make getting through this stage a little easier.\\nToddlers sticking close to their primary caregivers is a biological imperative: if the cave toddler lost his parent, he wouldn\'t eat. These days, the stakes are more akin to "might not have my cinnamon raisin toast buttered to my exact specifications," but routine and structure and control over the little things are what your toddler is focusing on right now as he figures out his world.\\nIf you have a spouse or co-parent, lean in to that person doing some of your toddler\'s very preferred activities. That partner might also be feeling hurt if the toddler is rejecting them; support them in that disappointment and reassure them that it\'s temporary. And if there\'s any small part of you secretly happy to be so indispensable to your child, that\\u2019s only human. Just make sure you\\u2019re not leaning in to it too much.\\nHear more about this topic in our episode "When Kids Prefer The Other Parent Over You (Or You Over Them)":\\nhttps://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/2019/07/preferotherparent-ep115/\\n\\n\\n\\n* Leave us a rating or review in your favorite podcast app!\\n* Join us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/whatfreshhellcast\\n* Instagram: https://instagram.com/whatfreshhellcast\\n* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WhatFreshHellPodcast\\n* Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/whatfreshhellcast\\n* Twitter: https://twitter.com/WFHpodcast\\n* questions and feedback: info@whatfreshhellpodcast.com\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'