how can i help my friend with her 2yr old that may have separation anxiety

my bff has a now 2 year old daughter if my friend goes to the bath room which is in eye view the little girl starts crying and screaming "wheres mommy" even if she knows where her mother is to the point that her mother has to take bath with her and cook with her on her hip which i say it is dangerous its so bad now that even if she gets up off the bed the little girl starts crying to the point of throwing up at first i tried helping by her telling her to leave the room and to let the baby clam down her self Which did not help cause the baby would not clam down just scream on and the mother would give in i managed to make her stop screaming but no stop to the crying no one want to watch the little girl other then me and my friend cant do anything if not with the baby errands or even go to the corner store is a mission and its hard for me cause now my 1yr baby is picking up the same bad habit any advise anyone has any helpful suggestions please tell me

i also told her to see a therapist

btw my friend just separated from the father but this has been going on long before the split

Parent Comments on "how can i help my friend with her 2yr old that may have separation anxiety"

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When my kids were little like that I just left the bathroom door open or took them in with me. They are too little to be affected by seeing you in any negative way...in fact they learn how to use the facilities like everything else...by seeing it done. :)
They are still babies at that age, don't let anyone get to you with talk of spoiling or calling you overprotective. If YOUR child needs something, even if other kids that age don't ...then he NEEDS it.

MY son was like that at that age and now he's 5 and he would cry,kick,and try to leave with me. This is the first thing i would tell him is I'll see you soon mommy has to go this place and I'll be right back. Hug and kiss them and take them to a favorite area in daycare or the sitters house and it will be a little easy or also give them their favorite food before you leave or object that always work also because if you find something that they love the person in charge doesn't usually mind as much. It will help with transition and always sit down the night before and explain to them what will be going on tomorrow it will also help

Two year olds are amazingly perceptive. The child appears to know that her mom will respond to her cries and uses that to her advantage. I think all your friend can do is reassure the child that she will be right back and do what she needs to. By allowing the child into the restroom and holding her while she cooks, your friend is inadvertently worsening the situation by teaching the child that she has the right to be with her mother 24/7.

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how can i help my friend with her 2yr old that may have separation anxiety

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