Claire has always preferred me. I understand its natural, and also a stage. She was getting quite a bit better with being with my OH, but ever since he went back to doing his 12 hour shifts (4 days in a row) her separation anxiety has come back with a vengeance.

She does NOT want to be with him at night. Evenings are "my" time, and also his time to interact with her because he's gone all day at work. (He's now back to 8 hour shifts) She is always happy to see my OH when he comes home, but the second he starts trying to take over she loses it. She cries and fights and "ragdolls" when he tries to pick her up.

He isn't taking it personally thank god, but I was wondering if there was any way to help Claire with this? Sometimes my OH gets frustrated and says "Well she wants you right now anyways" and while I get what he's saying I don't want to give in to Claire with this type of behaviour. I don't want to teach her that if she pitches a big enough fit, she'll get her way.

Anything I can do to help her? I've gone upstairs so she doesn't see me but truth be told there isn't anything to do up there and its rather boring. We'll try and sit in our living room but if she can't be right by me she gets really upset.

Don't know what to do?

having the exact opposite problem with Hannah right now, if she sees Stan all she wants is him, I can't even hand her a sippy cup without her crying Anyways sorry I don't really have any advice We've been putting up with this for a few weeks now. When he's not in the room or gone to work though she's absolutely fine with me....

I think you need to actually get out. Jasmine was like that until I went back to work and she was basically forced to spend time with Tom and have him put her to bed.

Although now she likes us to both be with her. She gets a little whiney when tom goes to bed in the morning, and I think if I was here while he was putting her to be she would be whiney then too.

Casen was like that from birth...Mark couldn't touch him. But he got much better around mo but at times it was really hard for him because Mark also worked 12-15hr days and so he wasn't use to him being there all the time. When Mark got home first thing he always did was play with them, say hello to them and play. Which usually casen then warmed up to him because he was playing. But sometimes he just only wanted mommy. I agree it's a stage and I don't think you should push it, she will get over it in her own time. I would just have him try if she gets really upset just take over but have him still help, maybe she'll let him help as long as you are holding her or something? I don't think it's really letting her get away with something, separation anxiety is real, not just them trying to get their way kwim? I don't think pushing her if she's not comfortable will help much, it might actually make it worse. I hope it gets better soon for you both!