Separation anxiety in a 2 1/2 year old?

STBX and I are going through a divorce. I moved out of our home and in with my parents just before DS turned 2. He's been really well adjusted as all of this took place when he was very small.

But, in the last 2 weeks or so, DS dosen't want me to leave him...ever. He was always able to play by himself while I cooked dinner/did laundry, etc. But now, I can't leave the room without him following me saying "play mom, play" and pulling on my hands. I can't go to the bathroom. I can't even sit on the couch while he plays in the living room b/c he wants me to sit with him on the floor and play. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my time with him. But, I need to get stuff done too! I can't pee for goodness sake! Then this morning when I dropped him off at daycare, he flipped out and was screaming saying "don't leave mommy" and clawing at me. He's NEVER done this before. I started crying. I felt just like I did when I dropped him off for the first time after maternity leave.

Is this a normal part of being 2 1/2, a part of the divorce, or combination of both?

Re: Separation anxiety in a 2 1/2 year old?

Probably a combination of both, but I have read many kids experience a bout of separation anxiety around 2.5. DS started daycare at that age and was SOOOO clingy with me--I could not leave him. Yes I left him at daycare, but that was always an upsetting experience. If Daddy tried to do anything with him, he would scream hysterically for me. At first I thought it was all about daycare, but then I read about separation anxiety happening at that age. So I would guess both--his life has changed a lot, and kids do not like change at all at this age.

It passed by 3, maybe a little sooner. He is still clingy with me at times, but not as much at all.

Re: Separation anxiety in a 2 1/2 year old?

Combo of both.

My kids went through it.. It was heartbreaking.. They would cry whenever I'd leave and when I was home, they never let me out of their site.. Would always ask if I was coming back.. It's like they saw daddy leaving and now had this fear of abandonment

Re: Separation anxiety in a 2 1/2 year old?

My DS was the most independent kid in the world until about 2 1/2. He then went through a crazy "Mommy Mommy" phase that lasted for a few months. He freaked out every time I was not in his sight.

I thought it was due to the arrival of his baby brother a few months earlier. Then, I heard from other Moms who had kids the same age, that they did the exact same thing. And there were no major life changes going on for those kids.

So it was just a phase- and he was fine after a few months and is fine now. He was also afraid of lots of things during that phase too.

So don't feel guilty- sounds pretty common!