Sudden Separation Anxiety in 2.5 Year Old

Mine went through the same thing.
He went through separation anxiety a little under age 2 then got over it.
Then it happened again at age 2 1/2.
Each was just a stage.
I was told to not draw out the goodbye & to tell him that I will be back as
soon as I can.
The few people I've left him with to go to an appt say that once I'm gone
he only cries for a few seconds.
My husband & I take turns putting him to bed (always have). Well lo &
behold he only wants me now. He's a little over 3 yrs of age.
My thinking is that I will only have this stage for a bit.
He needs me/wants me.
One day he will want nothing to do with me so he can go out w/his friends, go away to college, move away, start his own family etc.
So enjoy the little sweet moments, take a little time to yourself, give yourself some downtime, watch his sleeping face, listen to his little sleeping breathing.
It will all be gone before you know it. :)
It's just a normal phase of his growth. You are his anchor, his rock, his security. It'll pass. :)

This must the time for this phase to happen because my 2.5 yr old son is doing the same thing. I'm a SAHM, so I'm rarely apart from him, but he doesn't even like it when I leave the room. He follows me everywhere-even to the bathroom. I can't even go potty by myself anymore! If I even look like I'm going to walk out of the room it's "where goin', Mama". Likewise, he wants only me to tuck him into bed. I think it's just a phase and we'll have to ride it out. It won't last forever...I hope not anyway!

My son did this on and off, from about 2 to 3. Totally a phase. Make sure you give him a lot of love when you are around, it might mean he needs some more time with you.

My almost 4 yr old has been going through this for about 6 mos.
It's incredibly frustrating and so hard emotionally.
All you can do it be consistent and quick when you leave - don't drag it out.

For us, it began with a day at a temporary day-care that he wasn't used to.

I have no magic bullet - wish I did - just wanted to say we're going through it, too!

yes its normal for toddlers and i have experienced one more round of it around 5 (which i am currently going through with my daughter) and I remember going through it when my son was about 5 too. I feel your pain every night she asks me not to go to work, or come home early and its nothing but a screaming crying fit when im ready to walk out the door for work. its frustrating and hard on the heart. hopefully it passes soon

My son did this too. It is just a phase and it will pass but it does take a toll on moms who have to go through it. I would leave the house crying and feeling guilty. However, the good news is that as soon as I would leave my son would be totally normal and act like he didn't miss me. When I got home from work I would have to sneak in the house so I could wash up and use the bathroom because once my son saw me, I would have to hold him for the next 3 hours. He would not let me put him down. Just spend as much quality time as you can with your son and he'll be fine. In a few months he'll probably do the same thing to your husband.

Good luck!