Separation Anxiety

Since the day he was born, Sebastian has demanded that we be a close-knit family.  He has always been particular about who he will interact with, and for the most part, his list excludes everyone outside of our family.  As a newborn, he became hysterical when friends and extended familiy encroached upon his personal space.  As he grew, he became increasingly anxious and clingy when approached by people outside of our household.  Today he has perfected his stink eye, which he directs toward strangers who acknowledge him.

Needless to say, Sebastian has never done well with babysitters.  And for that reason, we do everything together.  Well, there's also the reason that we love being together as a family, but Sebastian's anxiety has had quite the influence on our social lives.  We carefully plan every outing and event with Sebastian in mind.  

Sebastian was nearly two when we started him in daycare.  It was traumatic for all three of us.  Going to daycare was incredibly stressful for him in the first days, and then it became heartbreaking.  Eventually he settled down and began to enjoy his time there.

I was fortunate enough to work a very part time job this past summer, and thus was able to stay home with my little boy.  Today, Sebastian returned to daycare for the first time in three months.  Joel dropped him off this morning, and said that Sebastian was very upset.  Although we know that he will adapt once again, it's distressing to see our baby heartbroken. 

When I went to pick him up after work, Sebastian was playing with his little friend, Isabelle.  They were hiding together and being silly.  This was quite the contrast to what I was expecting!  I was so proud of him that I decided we should celebrate!  After giving him a few ideas, he decided that we would go to Chuckwagon for shakes.  

Walking into Chuckwagon, Sebastian noted the large collection of cowboy and indian chainsaw art, and then screamed, "look, Mom!  It's a train!" when he noticed the miniture locomotive chugging along on tracks above our head.  The tracks span through the restaraunt and into the kitchen, so whenever the train would re-enter our dining room, he was instantly excited once again.  Between his day with friends, the chocolate shake, and the train watching, Sebastian's day was great!

 

Watching the train

Working on his chocolate shake