Hi B., I wanted to say that I feel for you , I have a 2 and 1/2 year old who wants to be with me all of the time too.And we are most of the time. But when I have to leave her or take her somewhere she does not like/want to be ,I definately find that being completly honest and letting her know BEFOREHAND almost always works ( even for doctor visits)
I am not able to leave her SCREAMING yet,she has a few close friends I can leave her with when I need to .She goes joyfully to them and I feel she will at some point ( soon ) be ready to go to a class with other children by herself as well.
Even If I keep her with me until she is 4 ,this is ok by me,as I have watched her slowly ,happily transition into her independence so far.
When I do have to leave her crying ( never with a stranger)
she does stop almost immediately after I am gone.
It is tough for me as she was born premature and also with congentital heart disease.She had to have open heart surgery when she was 6 months old,so we were in the hospital for most of her/our first 6 months and many times it was very critical and I was not sure she would make it. I know this is why it is hard for me to leave her,but also we have developed a wonderful bond that is hard to break!!!
I do though believe this "trauma" also gave me the awareness to really appriciate our time together in huge way.
it is such a precious gift ,beyond words for us to be able to grow ,carry and birth these little ones.
To be there for them is also a precious gift as well,as some moms are not able to and it breaks there heart every day to leave them. And we never know when this oppurtunity we have could end , so it is our job to prepare them to be happy ,healthy and indepedndent.
I think each and every mom knows deep down the best way for their own child.
It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job.
keep it up!!
much love,
S.