Luca, Liam, Clara and I are spending the Christmas and New Year holidays in Northern Italy. Despite the difficult journey, the children are behaving surprisingly well. The only glitch is that my 8 month old daughter has developed a serious case of separation anxiety. If I leave her side for a second, she panics. My only saving grave is the Ergo carrier I brought along with me. Without it, I would not even be able to do the simplest things like eating, packing and drying my hair. So long as I am holding her, she is happy. Otherwise, she is an insecure and nervous wreck. Even her dad and grandma cannot hold her anymore.

Clara’s anxiety started when we arrived in Italy –perhaps due to being overwhelmed by the new people and surroundings. Everyone tells me that separation anxiety is a normal developmental stage for babies. Fortunately, Liam never experienced it to this extent when he was a baby and I am at a loss as how to handle the situation.

Any advice from my readers would be appreciated.