The Cling

"After so many changes, I realized I'd better cling to my own family and to what I've got right here. " 
-Suzy Bogguss 

I know it's a phase, totally normal for toddlers her age, but Maeve is a Cling-on.  Any kind of new situation or new person presented to her is met with the immediate, instinctive action of her arms around my neck in a death-grip.  This is both gratifying and annoying.

See, when they're smaller, babies just blame you for anything they don't like; if they're bothered by a new situation or person, they just glare at you and scream until you fix it.  So in a way, getting a nice, big hug from my kid when she's scared is a nice change of pace.  It makes me feel like I'm her safe place, which is no small thing.  

But the holidays are here.  My parents are here.  Maeve is about to see family members, some of whom she remembers, some of whom are strangers to her yet.  And every single new or somewhat unfamiliar person is bound to bring the same reaction: zing! Right into my arms.  Maybe I'll just consider it my weight training for December.

When I picked my parents up at the airport yesterday, my mom practically took off at a run towards me, and my arms were around her neck so tight.  It felt good, after spending my time of late being the cling-ee, to turn around for a moment and be the cling-er.  I think everyone needs that.

Sticking close to my Mom