My son has always been very close with me in everything that I do. He is 4 now, with 2 older sisters, 6 & 10. He suprised us all this August when he began staying at the gym day care and in September starting preschool with out blinking an eye. He loved everything about it. About 3 1/2 weeks ago he came down with a pretty bad bug and was feeling less than secure. I understood his not wanting to be far from me, but now that all is well, he panicks at the thought of me leaving. He wants to be able to let me go, he justs 'freaks' when it actually becomes time. I am a stay at home mom & a firm believer of 'when a child is ready', 'natural consequenses' etc. I do not HAVE to leave him so I wonder if forcing him back into independence is the right way for us to go. I can hang out with him until he regains his confidence, and he can stay with me until he realizes again that it is more fun with his friends. I dont want him to question his security & trust with me.I tell when I am leaving & I go. I do leave him with his dad and grandma (yes, he freaks!)but I dont feel as though I am breaking any trust issues. He has 2 years of preschool before Kindergarten & I know that with patience he will come around, but is this best for my son?