Okay friends, grab your coffee. Gotta share this rollercoaster with my little one lately. Kid’s been clinging to me like duct tape – morning snuggles turning into octopus hugs while I’m cooking, bedtime cuddles stretching past midnight. Sweet? Absolutely. Exhausting? Heck yes. Felt like I was drowning in love glue.
The Breaking Point
Last Tuesday did it. Was frantically typing a work email when kiddo launched onto my lap like a tiny wrestler. Coffee flew everywhere, keyboard went sproing. Screenshot disaster. That’s when I yelled “ENOUGH!” Scared us both silent. Cue massive mom guilt. Dug through parenting articles that night till my eyes crossed. Found these five strategies. Decided to test-drive ‘em next day.
Strategy #1: The Boundary Bubble
Wednesday morning, sat criss-cross on the rug. Tapped a pillow beside me: “See this space? Mommy’s bubble!” Kiddo giggled and tried to invade. Gently held shoulders. “When the timer dings, we hug.” Set microwave for 5 minutes. Whined? You bet. But when beep-beep happened, launched into epic tickle hug. Did this 15 times that day. By evening? Kid actually waited for the beep twice.
Strategy #2: Secret Handshake Trick
Thursday invented “The Jellyfish Jam” – wiggle fingers high-five then elbow bump. When kid zoomed for waist clutch before school? Did the Jam instead. “Special handshake time!” Kiddo paused… then wiggled fingers back! Felt like freaking secret agents. Still use this when backpacks drop.
Strategy #3: Distraction Tanks
Major fail at first. Tried “Go draw Mommy a picture!” while making lunch. Got an arm koala instead. Then remembered: make the distraction physical. Plopped a bowl of dried beans on the floor. “Find ten white ones!” Kid became bean inspector. I stirred soup in peace. Now we rotate: Lego sorting, sock matching, bug hunts in the carpet. Genius.
Strategy #4: The “Touch Tank” Timer
Friday painted an old shoebox green. “Touch Tank opens at 4:30!” Kid asked 47 times if it was “tank o’clock”. At 4:29, positioned it on couch. Ding! We unleashed 10 minutes of piggyback rides, squeezes, even hair-braiding. Key? Set phone alarm for end. Kid protested when it rang? I pointed at tank: “Closed! Opens tomorrow!” Surprisingly accepted it.
Strategy #5: Love Dumping Stations
Weekend project. Made “hug stations” with couch pillows and stuffed dinosaurs. When I’m working? Kid body-slams Mr. Rex instead. “Go hug your dino army!” Still finds me for refuels, but shorter bursts. Caught kid whispering secrets to a T-Rex yesterday. Heart melt.
Three Weeks Later
My keyboard’s dry. Coffee stays in cup. Kiddo asks “Can I join your bubble?” now. Sometimes cries when touch tank closes – that’s okay. We breathe together till the storm passes. Still get surprise glomp attacks… but kid also runs off to squish teddy bears alone. Finding balance’s like baking bread – messy, needs constant adjusting. Wouldn’t trade those sticky hugs for anything. Just… maybe with slightly less arm strangling now.
