Hello!

I have three children, two of which are at school. After the school holidays, my youngest, who is at home with me, is missing her sisters very much and wants me to play with her all day and so I get no house work done. How can I help her to not be so clingy at the moment?


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  • I’m in the same boat at the moment. It’s hard but try to get her involved in the activities you’re doing. Keep her busy and occupied and make sure you spend some quallity time with her through out the day


  • I would make sure to give daily some special attention to her and for the rest of the time just potter along together. For example you want to clean the beds upstairs, then take her along and let her for example bring the sheets to the washing basket and praise her for her great help. Or when you clean the bathroom, give her a cloth too. Enjoy her company !


  • Does she go to childcare herself? That would help. It’s an adjustment for the whole family, she’ll get through it and work it all out


  • Thank you for all your comments, she is much better this week she was also cutting four teeth which wasn’t helping things!!!


  • I loved the time I had with each of my children before they went to school. The last one had me all to himself when the girls went to school. I did most of the housework in the evenings. I did the washing and hung it out and ran the vacuum cleaner over the floor after dinner whilst Daddy baths the kids. I even did the shopping at night and managed to grab a nice coffee break out as well whilst Dad looked after sleeping kids. I planned outings for us like going to the Museum’s and fishing and bike riding. I scanned Sydney’s Child for great outings and went to great places like the Maritime Museum, showing him all things he enjoyed. Little excursions out would be great for both of us. We have friends around for play dates. We joined a local library one day a week. We went ice-skating or rollerblading in local parks. We would stay at home and play with their toys inside and out. I would take him to the flower centre buy flowers and plants go home dig in the garden. We were too busy to be missing the girls. The kids were happy to see each-other by the end of the day to tell everyone what they have been doing.


  • My little girl can be clingy too. I think like the others said just keep the little one interested in activities, it can be hard though. And as always make sure you keep a close eye on them.


  • I think it is great that she misses her sisters and i wouldn’t want to change that but try explaining that you have work to do around the house and if she plays by herself until you have finished “job A” You will go to the park or play cafe or botanical gardens ect. Or will play her favorite game for an hour. But only if she can play by herself until you have finished


  • She will adjust – just give her some extra attention and time. Keep her busy and plan some special times for them together after school on weekends and during holidays.


  • She sounds really sweet & you are lucky she loves your company so much. Perhaps you could invest in some arts and crafts products as well as colouring books and blank paper to keep her more occupied.


  • Encourage her to do small activities by herself. But also spend time with her too. Time goes by sooo quickly. Dont miss your special time with her xx


  • Get her to help you with your jobs and maybe for every job she helps you with you can then get her to choose and game that you two can do together. The other way is you can just tell her mum can play for 20 mins then work for 20 mins.


  • Let them play in sister room for a while, show them that they will be home after a few hrs away. Invoke them in your day get them to help you with things


  • Also; setting up little activity stations may be helpful.


  • Enjoy this one on one time with her. You will never have this stage again. I understand what you are going through as I too have 2 children at school and one at home, which only started this year. I think if you spoil her and make her feel special she will start enjoying the time she has alone with you rather than missing her sisters all the time. I know how easy it is to get caught up in housework but in the whole scheme of things its really not as important as creating relationships with your kids. I agree with the comments below. Do something active with her in the morning, like the park or even shopping where she gets to hold the list or get things off the shelf for you, then explain what the afternoon entails and ensure she is occupied with an activity you can supervise or help with so she doesn’t feel like she is being left alone. Goodluck


  • Getting her to help is a great idea but also arrange some special activities for her.
    You could maybe take her to the park and then say that when you get home she can do some drawing or colouring while you do some housework. Or set her up with some painting or play doh and tell her when you’ve done such-and-such job you’ll come and make something with her :)


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