My 22month old DD does this, but my 4yo DD never did. She is such a daddy's girl!

I have so far managed to calm her down from meltdown by saying, Daddy will be back later. I try to talk about things happening later a lot during the day and then following up when they occur with a statement like 'see, we are going to the library now, just like I said we would" so she understands the concept and believes me. Plus we have DH come and go a lot during the day as he works near home. It means more breakdowns every time he leaves but she as a sense of him returning sooner or later as he is never gone for a full day.

If I can't console her with that I offer to call him and she has a chat on the phone. So far, that has always done the trick.

I like the idea above of giving a time frame such as after a sleep. I think I will use that! Thanks