Guidance on Your Child's Behaviour and Child Care - Ruth's Response

Mum Zone's resident Child Behavioural and Child Care Expert Ruth, author of Choosing Child Care, is available to answer some of your questions.

Topics include: Guiding children's behaviour, setting developmentally appropriate limits / rules, holistic parenting, children's spiritual growth, establishing routines, activity ideas, setting up the home environment to help support routines and limits, strategies for dealing with sibling rivalry / establishing positive relationships, choosing a child care centre that meets your child's and family's needs, settling children into care outside of the home, being involved in your child's day when they attend care.

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Reader's Question

My son has just turned 1. Up until now he has been a really happy baby. Two weeks ago he got sick with a nasty vomiting and diarrhoea bug, it knocked him (and us) about for about 5 days and then he has gotten better, his appetite is better than before he got sick and he has gone back to sleeping well like he used to. The only problem is that he has become really clingy to me, he wants to be picked up all the time and whinges and cries around my feet. I am a busy mum with 3 other children and a new business that I am trying to get off the ground. How do I deal with this clingy baby?

Ruth's Response

Hello

Twelve months is an age where children can go through a clingy stage yet I suspect it is more likely to still be related to your son being sick. After having been so sick his body is probably still getting back to 100% even though he appears to already be there. His appetite becoming even better may suggest his body is craving more food to help restore his energy. When a sickness throws you like this (particularly for a one year old) it can knock children emotionally too. I know this can be very difficult when you are so busy with other children and work, but it probably won't last long and he will be completely back to his normal self soon.

Here are a few suggestions I hope make it a little easier:

• Before having to do some work sit and cuddle / play for 10 minutes and then move some toys on the floor next to where you will be working. New 'toys' around the house should work such as containers from the kitchen with interesting things (my son loved the pegs). If you are able to take your work outside perhaps try containers or a shallow tub of water with toys to play with.
  
  
• When in the kitchen (as I know how much time mothers spend in the kitchen) perhaps pull the high chair really close to you and again, he may be happy sitting near you having some finger food or playing with a gadget from the kitchen.
  
  
• Another alternative is to let him go for it in the plastics cupboard (amazing how much enjoyment this brings!). I just used to throw (literally) everything back in at the end and then wash containers as I needed them - if need be.
  
  
• Another thing to consider is he may need some extra sleep during the day for the next week or two.

Regards,

Ruth

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The opinions expressed on these pages are of a general nature and are by no means a substitute for professional advice. Therefore neither Mum Zone or Ruth Powell of Choosing Child Care are liable for any actions pertaining to the use of the supplied information.