What Separation Anxiety? Oh, That Separation Anxiety!

I thought Andrew had skipped the separation anxiety phase. When he gets dropped off at the YMCA or at the church nursery, he hits the ground....crawling. And, he never looks back. "Mama, who?" he seems to ask. When I pick him up, either from the Y or church, I am always told what a good time he had, he played well with the toys and children, he didn't cry, he is a happy baby, etc., etc.

He is the same way with strangers. He holds out his arms to be held by people who stop to say "hey". In fact, a group of two men and a lady stopped by our house one evening a few weeks ago to talk with us after we had visited their church. Andrew held out his arms to the lady almost as soon as I opened the door. And, I had to coax him back when they were leaving. I think he was trying to leave with that lady!! I am sure the group was left wondering what goes on in our house to make Andrew want to leave his mama and go with a complete stranger!! I guess Andrew gets tired of being around me ALL Day EVERY Day. Sometimes the feeling is mutual, buddy.....sometimes the feeling is mutual!

However, all this great separation behavior came to an abrupt stop this Monday at the YMCA. Andrew was tired from a long Sunday night, and he was cutting a few back teeth. So, I knew he was not in the best mood, but I knew he would be okay with Mrs. Louise. Except, Mrs. Louise was not at the Y!!! Nope, she decided to take a week vacation. And, her vacation has been no walk in the park for Andrew! He screamed on Monday. Cried so violently no sound was coming out of his tiny, little mouth. Would not let the new lady hold him or let me put him down. The crying was so bad, even the "new Mrs. Louise" had to say "I don't think this is going to work out today". So we left.

Tuesday, we came prepared with our puppy comfort toy and a good night's sleep. He cried when I left him with the "new Mrs. Louise", but I knew I had to do it. I went to my spin class and rushed back.....only to find Andrew laughing and on the lap of the "new Mrs. Louise". Wednesday, we walked into class to find a different "new Mrs. Louise", and I immediately conjured up images of the disaster on Monday. But, to my surprise, he allowed the "new, new Mrs. Louise" to hold him, even though he cried. And, today, he wimpered but was laughing and crawling through a tunnel when I picked him up.

I am crossing my fingers that this week will be all I have to endure of the separation anxiety phase. Although, we do start Mother's Morning Out next Tuesday. Not only with a "new new new Mrs. Louise" but also with a new building and a new classroom. You can bet, though, that his puppy will be going with him on his first day of school!!