Well here we are. Eli is going to be 15 months in 3 days. We go to the 9:30 service, which is the first service, at our church since Wes plays at both and Eli's nap is typically around when the 2nd service is over. He goes to the same room each time, New Creations, Day 5. There are usually different people in there almost each time, and maybe that has something to do with it, but not much. What I'm talking about is his almost constant crying as soon as I leave him. I go in. I hang his bag up. I sit down with him, we look at some toys, the nursery worker comes over to say hi and meet Eli. I stand up, he starts screaming, I kiss him and tell him I love him and walk away. I don't know if there is a point that I will stop being bothered by this, but I still hate it. I hate seeing him cry like that.
When I go to pick him up, his eyes are all puffy, his face is red, and he has tears and snot dried all over his face. I ask, "how was he?" They say, "he was good, he cried on and off, but did get down to play a little." hmm...
I've been reading all kinds of books about raising sons. They are all really similar and based off of compatible research. It seems that for many boys, the separation anxiety phase is a bit more severe than for girls. I have no idea because I only have one son, but he definitely fits that description. Looking around the room at all the cute kiddos, there were only 2 other boys and lots of little girls running around playing... and not crying.
I'm doing my part. I'm taking him as often as I can, going with a good attitude, talking to him a lot, being brief but loving in my departure... now I guess I'll just wait on nature to do it's part and Eli to feel a little more secure when I leave.
Until then...
5 comments:
Sounds like you are doing everything you can to make him comfortable. He's just a momma's boy. When Audra was his age, we had the same problem. We figured out if we brought her in her stroller and they left her in in the whole time, she wouldn't cry. She felt safe in it. We would tease and call it her the princess in her carriage. She actually did that until she was 2. Whatever works!! She doesn't go to church in a stroller now so it must have been ok. :)
I'm sorry for your struggle, Amanda:( I HATE hearing my boy cry, too! Doesn't it just break a mommy's heart? Hopefully he'll come out of it soon. He just wants to be with his mommy- can you blame him? :)
Mac and Andrew both cried when I left them til they were about two - Andrew longer than Mackenzie.
When we came to interview at our church in Dallas, they were 2 and 1. We left them in the nursery and listened to them scream and fuss as we walked the longest hallway in the WORLD to meet the committee.
Any change brought fussing for the first two years.
However, today all of my kids went to Sunday School without crying! Granted, the youngest is about to turn SIX, but still ... it really will get better!!!!! ;)
Amanda,
I know you don't know me, I am Kendra, Jeff's sister-in-law. I was reading this post and couldn't help but smile. I work at the church nursery on Sunday and I have a little one, a boy, that is 14 months old, and he cries every Sunday. It sounds so similar. He too, cries on and off throughout the morning. I know that probably doesn't make you feel any better, but Eli isn't the only one.
Also, I am studying early childhood development and this is a completely natural phase. Again, I know that doesn't make it any easier!
Kendra
Hugs! I've been working in the Sunday School rooms for the last 5 years (different ages 12 mo--5 year olds) and a lot of kids have a hard time.
Post a Comment