Anxiety in my 2 1/2 year old

by Jaime
(Illinois)

My son is normally an outgoing person. However, I have been dating someone for a year and whenever we go over to his house my son has to be on my leg 24/7. I encourage him to play and sometimes he does. However, most of the time he insist that I stay by his side.

Hi Jamie

It is normal in children who are toddler age to express anxiety when having confusing emotions about a situation. For example, it could be that he is not used to you dating or he does not understand what it means for him that this person is in your life. What does this mean about who he is? What does this mean about his father?

Now, certainly it could also mean that something scary happened at his house, or in that environment to create a sense of anxiety. Young children can develop anxiety, if for example something had scared him while at that house, that might be generalized to the whole house.

Something as simple as a loud noise might be responsible for his behavior. I would try to talk with your child about how he feels when he is at this house with you.

Good Luck!

Kristen McClure

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