separation issues
I have an eight month old that I think is starting to develop some separation issues. The past week or so she has been crying if my husband or I walks outside, in the other, or we leave. Some examples Tuesday I picked her up at daycare and she always get so excited to see me and I picked her up and asked when the last time she was changed and they said about a hour ago. I asked them to change her again because we were going to look at a house before going home so I handed her back to them and she started crying and cried the whole time they were changing her. She could see me and I was talking to her hte whole time....I was standing right htere and then she was find as soon as they gave her back to me. Then this morning I forgot her cough meds so my husband dropped them off and she was sitting at the table eating breakfast and she heard his voice and looked right at him and started crying. But she never cries in the morning when I drop her off. Even at home if one of us walks in the other room and she sees us or walks outside she starts crying. The other night my husband went outside to move the sprinkler and she crawled over to the front door sat up and cried, I was sitting on the floor with her so I picked her up and took her outside and as soon as she saw him she smiled and was fine. Is this normal or should I talk to her doctor? I never experienced this with my son.
normal
I would say it's normal. We never had those issues with Luke either, but once in awhile Shawn will cry in similar situations that you mentioned. You could always ask your doctor on the best way to handle it, but overall I think the separation anxiety is very normal. At 8 months old, she is probably learning that she has control over her feelings and using them to try to get what she wants.
Maybe she is used to the routine of you dropping her off and she is ok with it, but when she sees you again, that is her cue that it is time to go home. Possibly seeing your husband then him leaving her there, or you holding her and handing her back to have her diaper changed wasn't acceptable, since it was time to go home, in her mind. :)
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
haha
I can hear her little mind saying oh no that is not the way it goes. Things tend to go her way and if it doesnt she lets you know. Its just weird because she get mad but never cried. The only time i ever heard her cry was when she got shots and now she isnt crying a lot but more then she did. She goes to the doctor in a month so I will talk to her then unless it gets really bad. Girls must be different then boys.
Eight month olds generally
Eight month olds generally have separation anxiety. She is not trying to manipulate you.
playing games
try playing some games to show her how things work like playing peek a boo. Do it with a blanket, around a corner wall. Or pop up toys that will teach her the things come back. That helped my kids alot. Show her how to pull a dish cloth up so she hides her face behind it and then find her too. Little ones need to learn that you do come back. Sometimes it is stressful too, when mom and dad leave and their day is ok, but when you come back it is stessful yet a relief.
If she continues the issues at daycare I would certianly question if there are any problems that she is trying to tell you, because the issues at home may not be just seperation issues they may be linked to other troubles.
Typically youngsters at this age do experience some seperation issues.
Good luck
THANKS
OH yeah, we love to play peek a boo. Everytime she get a blanket or burb rag she covers her face and then pulls it down. She is starting to do at bed time with her blanky:). She doesnt do it when I drop her off though. This this morning I sat her down on the floor with two other babies her age and I said bye bye Bailey and she just smiled and started playing with a toy that was in front of her. I even went out to my car because I 'forgot the payment' and when I went back in she wasnt crying she was just playing. I have also noticed that she is starting to throw a fit when she get something that she isnt suppose to have and we take it away from her and give her one of her toys. She is starting to throw her self backwards and cry. I dont know what is going on. I never experienced anything like this with my son. I guess I didnt realize they have separate issues that early or throw fits when they dont get what they want at 8 months old.
normal
I agree with kijpainthorse...and this is normal for this age. 8 month olds are just beginning to develop the concept of object permanance. Your daughter is beginning to notice when you or your hubby leave the room, or leave for work, and it will upset her. Playing games like peek-a-boo and hiding things under a banket for her to find, can help her out. Also, providing her with reassurance that you "will be right back" can help as well.
To avoid the fits, redirection works wonders at this age. Take the toy or object she can't have, away, redirect her to another activity/toy that may be more appropriate or exciting for her. 8 month olds really don't have a very long attention span, quite yet, so it's out of sight, out of mind, for the time being!
When she does get upset, as hard as it is, here's the good news... she is securely attached to you and her daddy :)