So, bc I am SAHM, it is very hard to leave my DS

[UrbanPlanter]

Whenever I want to go somewhere.
Other moms who work or have babysitters seem to have it so much easier.
Often he will have a screaming fit when I try to leave! (and I only leave him with DH, who he is very close to and spends every waking moment with when DH is home, but since DH works all day it's just a couple of hours a day).
It's very frustrating.

[Mallory]

You don't say how old he is, but this really will change, before you know it you will have a 5 1/2 year old who is always asking about staying somewhere else

Is he an infant or old enough that he and dad could go do something fun together, or a friend could come play so he would be so busy he doesn't remember about you? Is it just right when you leave or much of the time you are gone? I babysit a 15 month old, who almost always lets out a good scream or two when her parents leave, but she really has a good time here and if I can find something interesting enough (going outside, playdough, splashing in the sink) then she hardly notices, when they leave.


Mine are 4 and 5 and I have a hard time leaving them, as a single stay at home mom, sometimes just the logistics of it are too much. but they really are okay with me being gone for a few hours, and before you know it your son will too.

[meco]

I wish my son cared if I left.

I think it has to do with the temperment of the child too. I know many day care/baby sat kids whose kids do not do well with being left. And then there are some like my son who do not go to DC/have a baby sitter and waves and blow kisses--If I am lucky--when I leave.

I also think it takes getting used too. Time and practice.

: I am sorry your son is not happy when you leave. That is hard.

[UrbanPlanter]

Originally Posted by Mallory

You don't say how old he is,

:LOL bc my big head thinks that everyone follows every detail of my life and just knows :LOL

He just turned 3 years a month ago.

I guess it is getting better. It used to be much worse.
Today was a huge turning point for us.

I had a day-long seminar (I have never left him for more than a few hours - like 3-4) and I was gone from him (no nursing! : ) from 9am-5:30pm; like a work day! He didn't nurse from waking (7:30am) to sleep (8:30pm).

DH said he never had a tantrum or cried all day - they had a great time together! And when they picked me up DS was all smiles and happy to see me but didn't run to me and cling!!!

[cozymama]

ITA that alot of it has to do with the temperment of the child! My ds is sometimes really relaxed about me leaving, sometimes not.

Personally I find it WAY easier to leave my son for a short time now that I am SAH than when I was in grad school and he was in daycare. B/c I had to leave him then (for school/teaching), by neccessity rather than choice, I would never leave him an extra second, ever. But now that I am with him all day, if dp wants to take him to the grocery store for an hour or so I don't freak out nearly as much. Of course I still miss them both and wish we could all go together.....but I think that's less about being a SAH/WAH/WOH and more about just liking all spending time together..............

[AmandaBL]

I agree with PP's Also, some of that will continue in phases til he's much older. Your working friends have it easier as their children are used to being left with others. You can look at the up side of that too... Your guy is used to his mom taking care of him all the time. The doubble edged sword of staying home - haha