Clingy 8 year old daughter: normal or not?

I am speechless as this sounds precisely like my daughter at her age and prior; even down to her shy nature and form of tantrums.

I know your concern. I often wondered if this would always continue. But let me assure you it won't. My daughter is now ten and has since become much more independent from me. She enjoys going off and doing her own thing and even prefers doing homework on her own.

And as far as the shyness/reserved nature is concerned that too is a thing of the past. She is very assertive now, can defend herself with logical reasoning to other kids (even teenage kids), and just this week recognized an injustice towards a kid at school and had no qualms speaking up for him. I would have never expected this from her last year.

While my daughter was (still is but not as much) a true mom's and dad's girl I understand now that she was observing me very carefully during all the years prior to ten and absorbed a lot of my personality and convictions. And yes while at times I felt smothered by her and felt we were connected at the hip I couldn't help but feel a little flattered that she'd want to spend so much time with "me". Who knew that I could be that interesting to a young girl...hmm; go figure. I know it's crazy but I kind of miss that.

With that said, embrace every second now because it will pass.

I wish you and your sweethearts the best.

i would say that this is just her nature, but with that being said it isn't really a healthy one. It is okay to be with mom, and it is okay to be clingy sometimes, but i think it is time you start trying to make her more independant, maybe showing her how to sweep the floors, so when you clean up stairs she can be a BIG GIRL and help mommy sweep down stairs, that will make her feel good to help you and not be so clingy at the same time. try getting her into activities that seperates her from you for awhile, maybe a dance class or something similar. I am not saying to make her stop this all at once, but i would try weening her off of you little by little by distracting her with something else.

if your other daughter is 13, maybe you could have her baby sit once a week or so so you can go out and have some me time, or if your married, a date night! this will help you get some space and your 8 year old get used to being away from you. I know you love her, but i know from experience that mom needs her space sometimes too!

Best wishes!

~Angi

Hmm...well when i was that age, my mother got breast cancer, and I was very clingy to my mother.

That then turned into Anxiety whenever I wasnt near her. Now I am, 16 and have severe Anxiety and depression.

Has anything happened recently that may make her worried about you.

Just assure her that you are always going to be there for her, and that it is ok for Mummy to have her own time.

But if that is not the case, yes it is sort of normal. Every child is different. Just keep an eye on her.

=]

Totally normal. Growing up, I was like your older daughter, but my younger sister was like your 8 year old. Once she hit grade 6, so about 11 or 12, she grew out of it and only wanted to be around friends. Give her some time, I'm sure she'll snap out of it =]

Has there been a recent major change i her life (divorce, death of a grandparent, move to a different city, etc)? These kinds of things can make a child clingy. If not then she is probably just shy and the phase will pass soon enough on it's own.

Haha! Cherish it while you can!

I'm only 18 so I remember those days, I didn't stop kissing my mum outside of school in front of my friends till I was about 15.

It's going to all change when she gets a boyfriend, and it'll be sooner than you think, shes only 8 now, but wasn't it just yesterday that she was taking her first steps?

I just stopped completely hugging my mum, kissing her, or anything as soon as I got my first girlfriend, and haven't been the same with her since.

CHERISH IT PLEASE!!! You are going to hate it when she stops acting this way.

I think you need to cuddle her more and if she wants to spend more mother-daughter time, give it to her. She will only be a child for a short time and I think it would be very precious for her if you (while giving her the feeling that she can come to you at any time) dedicate some special time for you two, where you can play together, read stories etc. You might do that with her sister as well. Your younger one seems to have the feeling that she needs to follow you, because she thinks you wont come to her. Just be with her a lot and give her loads of praise and cuddles.

Its normal for her to be this way until up to age 10. Before long she wont be clingy and you will miss it.

She sounds like a really sweet girl. Maybe it's her shyness that makes her cling to you though - could you get her involved in some activity to boost her confidence? How about gymnastics, tennis, karate, drama classes or whatever she's interested in? It would give you some space, too.

Yes this is very normal between the age of 0-10 children want to be close to there mothers as they feel very protected.