Knowledgebase: Parenting Questions

Questions about the managment of common parenting problems such as discipline.

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22. My 20 month old daughter has become very "clingy" lately. - Top

"clinging" or strong attachment to a parent is a common finding in children the age of your daughter. From 12 to 15 months of age, children go through what we call "stranger anxiety." At this age they begin to recognize their parents as different from others and the early process of clinging begins. From 18 months to 3 years of age, children go through a process from dependence on parents to some level of independence. As they go through this process, especially in the early stage, they have periods of insecurity and cling to the security of their parents. As children gain more self-esteem, they become more independent and are able to separate from their parents. Many children go through this process smoothly while others may struggle. When children get close to 1 years of age and have not shown signs of' independence and an ability to separate from their parents, they may need some active nudging towards independence in order to avoid separation problems later; primarily that associated with entering school. - Updated: March 22, 2001

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James L Horwitz, MD

David C. Thomas, MD

Barbara Lindberg, PNP