Needing Less Need

I don’t what’s going on, but for the last few days Aiman has been very “needing” of me. He goes ballistic if I leave the room or walk away, even if he’s with his dad. He wants to be everywhere I am and do everything with me, and yes if you’re wondering, that does include the restroom.

Recently Aiman and I were home alone during his “I can never be left alone” moments and I really, really had to pee. I mean seriously, my bladder was a drop away from total failure. Aiman wouldn’t let me go  and I couldn’t sneak away either because I read about how sneaking away causes more anxiety in children, leading to trust issues -blah blah blah. And I sort of take it seriously, so I couldn’t leave him screaming just to empty my bladder.

So I did the only thing I could and took him into the restroom with me, but that just wasn’t good enough for him -Oh no, no, no -he needed to sit on my lap.

Grrreaat

I brought in his motorcycle/bike thing, but he didn’t give it a second glance. All the while, I’m literally shaking because I’m about to wet myself any second when I just couldn’t take it anymore and scooped him up and just went.

Anyhow I can’t seem to keep Aiman busy with anything and I find myself avoiding eye contact with him if he is playing independently because as soon as he realizes that he’s not with me, IT’S OVER!

Cue the crying and “Mamamamamaaaaaaaaaaaa” and pick me up now, now, now.

Saad deploys a funny method to keep him busy when he needs to get things done. If he needs to finish reading up on something, for example, he’ll sit on the couch and have Aiman’s toys scattered around, but hides a few really good ones behind him on the couch.  When Aiman is bored and starts crawling to the huz to be picked up, he whips out one of the toys, teases him a little with it so that Aiman’s interest is peaked, then randomly tosses it somewhere in the living room.

Repeat when necessary and WALA! Busy baby and productive dad.

At first I was like “You’re treating him like a puppy!” and he said “It’s also why I don’t have to stay up til 3am finishing projects, but you do.”

Good point.

“You’re a genius that treats him like a puppy!”

“But a genius that sleeps like a baby…while his wife is still working”

“Ok, ok, you made your point…”

Note: Saad spends lots of quality time with Aiman aside from these puppy games.

Anyway I tried his  method with no avail. Kid is pretty resistant to anything I try to keep him with busy with. And let me clear it up by saying that I do love the attention and usually give in to him, but things need to get done!

Are you going to do my domestic duties for me?

No?

Yeah, I thought so.