Is This Normal with 2 Year olds and I

[scilla220]

I am in the Reserves and had to leave and do some out of state training so I left my son with his Aunt and Grandmonther with whom we live with. I return from training and I feel as if I lost my son - he always wants to be with his Aunt now and I feel hurt. When he wakes up sometimes he calls for her instead of me - mom. He fell down and began to cry he got up and ran passed me to her and I feel hurt by all this.
Is this normal of kids to do - and is it okay that I feel hurt ? By the way my son's grandma and aunt are his father's mom and sister - my son's dad is not involved in our lives.

[RockRose]

You don't say how long you were gone,  but yes it's very normal for a child to attach to the caregiver who takes care of them the most.  

The good thing is,  you can feel very confident he was treated very well while you were gone - he attached to them and is still attached.  

The worst thing you can do to your son at this point is insist that he not be bonded with them - like some mothers do,  firing nannies as soon as the child prefers the nanny over the mother.

He's attached - that's a great thing,  and a good indicator of his personality.  I think I would quietly talk to the grandmother and aunt,   and tell them how thrilled you are that he got such good care,  and could they help switch his loyalties back by slowly backing off a little bit.

Best wishes.