Maybe separation anxiety?

Noah's 22 months old now, and for the last few months he's been SO upset when I leave for work or even try to pee by myself... He's slowly, slowly getting better with it, but it's still heartbreaking to leave for work every day. He just wants his mama.
He was so independent before my last relationship. Once I was with that ex for a while Noah became really attached to me, and since I left him he's been very slowly being more independent but now still won't go to any male (except my boyfriend now, but he calls him his daddy).
My questions is, is this just a normal thing at this age? Or do you think it could have been something due to my ex (who he hated)?

It could be that there's been 2 men in and out of his life in less than 2 yrs (possibly 3 if he knows his dad as well). Kids need stability, him being around several men in such a short amount of time is not healthy.

So is this current boyfriends the third "father figure" he's had in his 22 months of life? His bio dad, then your ex, now this guy?
No judgement but, you must know that changing the constant parental adults in his life can absolutely cause separation anxiety to be magnified.
If you break up with this guy at some point, it's going to get bad again. It causes them to not trust that people are going to come back for them.

Sounds much like separation anxiety and when this was new to me I was always told how very important it is to tell your child/children bye bye and you will see them later, rather than the sneaking away I once did ..They learn by this knowing and becoming more comfortable as they get to know eventually you will be back for them..It was so hard and someti

Quoting Barnett Babies:" Sounds much like separation anxiety and when this was new to me I was always told how very important ... [snip!] ... this knowing and becoming more comfortable as they get to know eventually you will be back for them..It was so hard and someti"

*sometimes takes a few weeks fro them to adjust!

Quoting MommaSav2:" So is this current boyfriends the third "father figure" he's had in his 22 months of life? His bio dad, ... [snip!] ... this guy at some point, it's going to get bad again. It causes them to not trust that people are going to come back for them."

  true- it is confusing to LO too!

As for the boyfriend I agree w/ the others in the thread it is confusing to a child so young and a Man figure in and out his life no time to bond and get to know and that works both ways from your boyfriends to your child!

<blockquote><b>Quoting Barnett Babies:</b>" As for the boyfriend I agree w/ the others in the thread it is confusing to a child so young and a Man ... [snip!] ... a Man figure in and out his life no time to bond and get to know and that works both ways from your boyfriends to your child!"</blockquote>




Or they bond and then she breaks up with them and the trust is broken again.

This is why I think it's so important to wait a good long time before you introduce boyfriends or girlfriends to kids.
My friend has two girls and her oldest is 7 and has had 4 different "daddies" in her life. The second daughter is a product of her most recent failed relationship where he was "daddy" then they broke up and moved and she lost yet another father figure. Now the mom is in another relationship and pregnant with another baby and they are all calling this new one "daddy". I feel so bad for her girls. Mom is so desperate for a "family" she just introduces them immediately, then when its over its just the end of a relationship for their mom, but for the girls is like losing their father over and over and over.
Of course that will cause separation anxiety.

Quoting MommaSav2:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Barnett Babies:</b>" As for the boyfriend I agree w/ the others ... [snip!] ... their mom, but for the girls is like losing their father over and over and over. Of course that will cause separation anxiety."

Very valid point you made here th- It also has different effects per child also , it may also not show up until later as they reflect on things that happened early on in their lives..Sometimes we as mom's have to put ourselves on hold and put our kids first no matter tghe struggle. This child is acting out how it may be affecting him!

I understand where you're all coming from about my exes, but his biological father hasn't been in his life and I broke up with my ex because he was emotionally abusive and was never around because he was sleeping with half of the town. My current boyfriend has been around for eight months and actually spends time with Noah, and Noah always wants to be with him. He's not going anywhere any time soon, and I waited a few months before introducing the two of them.

Quoting Mama Milk Machine!:" I understand where you're all coming from about my exes, but his biological father hasn't been in his ... [snip!] ... wants to be with him. He's not going anywhere any time soon, and I waited a few months before introducing the two of them."

I'm glad you're in a healthy relationship now but the past turmoil could still have had an effect on his separation anxiety being worse.
It just takes patience and consistency to build the trust that you are ALWAYS coming back for him. Every time you leave make sure you tell him "ill see you later, i love you" my daughter is 22 months also and she was starting to get anxiety over my husband leaving for work every morning (shes a daddy's girl) but she feels a lot more secure when she hears the same "see you later baby! i love you!" i think its just an extension of the daily routine they thrive on.

Quoting MommaSav2:" I'm glad you're in a healthy relationship now but the past turmoil could still have had an effect on ... [snip!] ... when she hears the same "see you later baby! i love you!" i think its just an extension of the daily routine they thrive on."

I've found that helps a lot, actually. My mom suggested just sneaking out when he's not paying attention but I remember how much it scared me when I was little. I didn't want her out of my sight because if she was she'd suddenly be gone for hours and I wouldn't know when she would be home. I tell him "Mommy has to go to work baby, but I'll see you later okay? I love you!" And some days are better than others, where he'll kiss me goodbye and just play with daddy, but some days are still crying and crying and it just breaks my heart. It is getting better though