16 Month Old Daughter Who Won't Go to Anyone Else but Mom or Dad

Unless you have also observed this reaction elsewhere, it might just be the doctor's office that your daughter is afraid of. Our daughter freaks out when a doctor or nurse touches her (probably due to all those shots that babies/toddlers have to get - bad associations!) But she is fine at daycare, and on occasions when our friends or her grandparents have watched her for short periods. The church situation may not be as hard for her as you think.

Yes it is very hard when you have to adjust to new places and situations. Try giving her something of yours to hold while she is in the care of the church ladies and tell her to hold it until you come and pick her up because you will need it later. It might help. My daughter used to do the same at first and I would give her my old cell phone to hold and it worked. She adjusted quite fast. Good luck....

M.,

I can tell you care a TON about your children and that is wonderful. No doubt your children know how much you love them and that is one reason why they want to be with you so much. Thankfully, your teaching commitment starts in a few months. You will have some time to allow your daughter to adjust to the new location, she'll mature some more, and you can both prepare for the hours you'll be away. I'm confident a lot of changes will be made in the next few months. And I'm sure you can prepare yourself and your kids for this commitment. May God guide you.

Hi M.,
Just make the best decision for you and your family. If you do it--at least she will be right there and you can check on her. That could be good or bad if she sees you--I'd probably jst spy from a distance. I was in kind of the same boat with my son who was used to us or his grammy & grampa. The time will come when you will NEED someone else to watch her for something--event, funeral, etc. That was tough but I took the leap when we went to a wedding and O. of my friends watched my son & even put him to bed. We came home and there he was--sound asleep in his bed with his little angel face. Sometimes it's tougher on us than on them! Good luck.

It just takes time, don't worry about it too much. i am sure she will adjust quicly for you! My daughter was like that, but when I had my son premature, she had no choice because I had to go see the new baby at the NICU. After 2 weeks, she didn't care about me leaving her anymore...well she cries, but it's for 30 seconds and she is fine. Really, it will all work out! Don't stress.