Any tips for an anxious toddler?

Hi mamas,
I need some advice about my little girl. She's 22 months old and is a real character most of the time. She's never been a chilled baby from the day she was born and definitely has a bit of a bossy boots personality, especially with me. It seems to come out most when she's anxious about me leaving the room or when I'm not giving her my full attention, particularly when we're at home.

For example, if I'm trying to do jobs around the house, she'll follow me around crying and throwing herself on the floor. This can be something as simple as making her lunch. She can see me the whole time, and I always make sure she has everything she needs, toys, books, etc. So she can hopefully play while I get on with what I need to do.

Sometimes it's so bad that I've started asking my husband (who works from home) to sit with her while I pack her nappy bag or get the pram ready so she stays calm. I'm not talking about doing a full house clean, just really small, everyday tasks.
I worry that I'm pandering to her anxiety by doing this, but at the same time I'm just trying to keep the peace so we can get out of the door without everything turning into a meltdown.
I've also found myself relying on the TV quite a lot, which I'm not happy about. We only watch low-stimulation programmes, but the TV is often on for most of the time we're indoors because it's one of the only things that keeps her settled.

Outside the house you couldn’t find a more confident, cheerful, cheeky monkey. She runs circles around me in for an entirely different reason and is outwardly confident.

Has anyone else been through something similar? Is this just a phase, or is there anything I can do to help her become a bit more independent and comfortable when I'm busy for a few minutes? I'd really appreciate any advice or reassurance.

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My LB is a similar age and he is going through similar. I think its quiet common. The only way I can get things done is putting tele on for a bit. I used to feel guilty about it, but im over it now. At the end of the day the way I see it is in these moments it's about surviving, and if the TV will help keep your LO calm just whilst you get sorted do it. X

Theres a few things you can do. You can start including her in the task and have her as your little helper. So if you are doing the dishes, maybe give her a little wash bowl next to you and a few things to wash such as her own play kitchen plates etc or if cooking, get her to physically help you like preparing or turning the oven on etc or just talking her through it.
Or.. you can use the RAID approach. This means not reacting to Red (negative) behaviours but being overly encouraging and reinforcing of Green (positive) behaviours. So dont react to her tantrum but instead notice the time she didnt do it and offer praise for playing on her own while mummy did her jobs. If she gets a reaction she will continue the behaviour so try only to react to the behaviour you want. ❤️

It’s a tough phase - can you get her involved in the jobs? Gives her things to hold/fetch for you?
I’m not anti screen time in general but using it to calm her down is not going to teach her any self regulation, and is going to cause you further problems down the line.
As much as it sucks, you might just have to ride out the crying, and stop putting the tv on when she insists.
Lots of preparing her by telling her in 5 mins we’re going to do this, you’re going to have to do xyz to get ready to go out, and she can help or play. And then just sticking with it, it’s time for mummy to get this ready so we can go out, let’s sort it out. Acknowledge she’s upset and push through. Meltdowns are very normal for this age.
Can you pack the nappy bag/have the pram ready to go out when she’s napping/in bed at night, or at least do as much of it as possible so it’s a bit easier and quicker for you to get out?

Going through the same. Hoping its a phase too. I have a tall toddler stand thing that he can stand up on and play on the kitchen side /pretend to cook/plays with the microwave. I read somewhere that they want to be included rather than distracted, which makes sense I guess but hard in theory.
Ive tried to include him in helping me chop things or stir things etc but it takes forever long and I dony have much patience haha
Im also going through a phase of him waking in the night for aaages.

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