Waiting It Out
If you're feeling uncomfortable with how much fun your child has been having with someone else, you should give things time to balance out. Sometimes, it's the novelty of making a new friend that's behind a child's fascination with a neighbor, teacher, or any other person he meets. Eventually, that person may well lose her place as the apple of your child's eye to another of his newfound friends.
Instead of being hurt when your child asks for a caregiver or an aunt when it's your time with him, consider why he may be thinking about that person. Keep in mind that kids live in the moment; your child may ask to go play at Grandma's house because he heard a song that reminded him of her, not because he doesn't want to spend time with you.
As tough as it may be at times, it's up to us to remember how important it is to nurture the positive relationships our children develop with trusted adults. An attachment to others isn't a sign that you're losing his affection, but that he's gaining the skills he'll need to become a loving person.
Now, five years later, we've moved to a new town again, but Mary is still in our lives -- and she's still a valued, trusted friend who has helped open my kids' hearts to the possibilities of the world around them.
