Bathsheba, I have tried everything, from sneaking off out of the room, to saying 'I'm just going to....(whatever/wherever)'. DD will up and follow me without hesitation, even if she is playing with her most prized possession, even if they are happily doing something together or eating or.....anything!!! She is in my armpit alllll day. DS does it only because she does. The other day DD fell asleep late for her day nap(about 3pm) and DS was up and about on his own with me. He was quite happy to be in the toy room building with the wooden blocks, he had a snack without me sitting next to him. I just checked in on him occaisionally, he saw I was there, would say 'Look I build!' and that was that he was fine on his own. It made me feel more like actually sitting with him and playing because he wasn't depending on me to be there to interact with him, kwim? With DD I have to make an effort to do it because she's so dependant on it, like she can't do it without me and she aaalllways ends up ON me. Touching me, in my space, in my face. Makes me reluctant to want to be with her. But at day care the teachers tell me she's so independant. She will run from me when we get there, she's not overly attached, we don't have separation anxiety or anything. That's why I struggle with it at home. She drives me bonkers!!!!!
I don't understand it either because she has never really had separation anxiety for me. She is confident and happy when we go out, she makes friends with strangers in the park (kids, lol!) she is an independant child. I give both of my kids lots of cuddles and kisses in the day, DD and I snuggle on the lounge together of a night, we read stories, I talk to her about her day....she gets lots of attention otherwise. I try to reason with her, tell her I need space or I just want to go to the toilet or whatever it is and I won't be long, I will be back in a few mins. She still follows...arrrgggh!! She probably just does it to annoy me....I can't think of another reason!