Is This Normal for a Toddler?

Updated on May 14, 2012
M.M. asks from Buffalo, NY
5 answers

I've been at home with my DD for two months, and lately I feel like she doesn't need me as much when it's just her and me. But whenever my husband comes home or we are visiting family she is attached to my hip and wants to play all the time. Is this varied behavior normal? She is 21 months old.

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L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

Perfectly normal. At home with you, she is comfortable, happy and in a familiar place, so she feels free and ready to do things on her own and amuse herself more on her own. When your husband (who is not around her all day like you are) or others are around, she is in a very slightly less familiar environment so she turns to you for additional attention. Normal at this age. Be proud that she is happy and relaxed enough at home with you that she does NOT need you to amuse her every second. But do keep on introducing new things to do, toddler-appropriate crafts, outdoor play, lots of reading to her, mommy and me groups, library story times, etc. -- keep her busy little mind stimulated. She's doing fine.

3 moms found this helpful
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K.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

It sounds like in company or away from home she feels a little insecure. Or, she's jealous that there are others to capture your attention. That's sounds normal to me.

2 moms found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

Totally normal - when it is just the two of you she knows she can have you when/if she wants but when new people come into the mix it is more questionable to her. Start reminding teaching her how to host people and make her the co-hostess, even if you host a fancy dinner for just the three of you a night or two a week.

2 moms found this helpful

N.G.

answers from Dallas on

She doesn't want you paying attention to anyone else! Of course it's normal! Love that age. :)

2 moms found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Kansas City on

I suspect that you are giving her more attention when you are alone than you realize. You don't have the distraction of other people, etc. so you just don't notice. She is probably just feeling "hey, I usually have your undivided attention, what's the deal?". I would try to make sure she plays on her own a little each day, obviously monitored from a distance. Even limiting her ability to interupt what you are busy at home with might help. "I will be there in just a minute, I'm finishing up... right now, you'll need to wait".

Yes, it is normal!

M

1 mom found this helpful
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