ABSTRACT

My small girl M., aged four years and four months, has a brother aged ten months to whom she is devoted. At first she went through various difficult phases which we put down to jealousy. Two months ago we had to have a change of nannie, and I anticipated a lot of trouble as she adored the girl who was leaving, and lavished all her affections on her. I told M. that nannie had to have a long holiday, and rather to my surprise she took the change fairly calmly, though she still asks occasionally when will the old nannie’s holiday be over. She seems quite fond of the new girl, but I tried to show her more affection myself in order that she should not feel so “lost”. Now, starting about a month ago, she simply clings to me, and we have scenes every time she has to go out with nannie, or be put to bed, meals, etc. I have to promise repeatedly to see her the moment she gets back, or the meal is over, and she works herself into a perfect panic and frenzy over this, having to ascertain exactly what time she can see me, and where I shall be. She seems quite unable to help these outbursts, and it is pitiable to see her; she works herself up to such a pitch of crying, and imploring to be with me. I have been firm over these scenes and insisted on her going out with nannie, having meals, etc. though she is sometimes left alone until she has “recovered”. I have never deceived her, and I have reasoned with her and explained that I cannot always have her with me. But when the occasions crop up she seems quite unable to control herself. When I am out, or away for the day, she is nearly always perfectly good and happy.