4 1/2 yr old- severe separation issues..normal?

[sidandspencersmom]

For the past week, my 4 1/2 yr old son has been having huge tantrums when DH leaves for work.

It's the typical, "one last kiss, one last hug" over and over. I have to pry him off of DH and then he tries to run after him. I have to lock the door or else he'll run down the street. He'll cry and scream for about 20 minutes after he leaves and I just ignore him now. I tried holding him, hugging, etc, but he kicks and pushes me away. When the tantrums are done he'll join me in whatever I am doing, like nothing happened.

I can't figure out where this is coming from. DH is a great dad and has had the same schedule for work for all of my son's life. We have had no changes in our living situation- nothing to make him feel insecure.

Anyone have experience with this?

[angela&avery]

my only suggestion is that you have ds and dh come up with a routine every morning and stick to it no matter what. A kiss, a hug (or two or whatever number you decide on) and special hi five, and maybe a beep from the car while he watches in the window... Or..... anything you can think of that makes a routine..... maybe ds can get dads lunch, keys or shoes or something so that he has like ... 4 or 5 things that happen in a row that prepare him for dad to walk out the door....

do them every. single. day.... dont waver..... I think it IS in the realm of normal. My dd has had seperation issues and sometimes when it comes out of the blue I take my time with her an allow her the emotions, but it seems that it gets worse and worse every time until I kind of take a more "this is how it is" approach with her without getting sad or irritated about it... just matter of fact. Once I do this it calms her it seems and allows her to move on.