Unfortunately I don't have too much advice since I am in the same boat! I've had a dcg since last May(she started when she had just turned 1yo), and it was awful at the beginning - they were a babywearing family, so she didn't even really move when I'd put her down on the floor, just cried and waiting for me to come get her. Eventually she figured it out that I wasn't going to carry her everywhere and started crawling around, but still was very clingy and cried alot, especially if other kids approached her or touched her. It was getting much better before Christmas break, but since she came back after having almost two weeks at home, it has been a nightmare again! I can't go anywhere without her right behind me; she wants to be carried up and down stairs; she freaks out if other kids touch her or come near her; everything is "mine" and she cries is another kid touches a chair/toy/book that she considers to be hers; she cries if I tell her no; the crying just goes on and on and on.....her parents are great, they always pay on time, are happy with her care, they are just awesome to deal with all around. We've talked about the crying and recent 'attitude' she give when you tell her no (crossing her arms and crying or pouting), and they say its happening at home too; they also say that she has just never like to play with kids her own age and prefers adults. I would love to replace this dcg with another little one who is more happy go lucky (like the rest of my kids!) but I just keep holding on to the hope that mom will get pregnant with baby #2 soon, since that seems to be the pattern once dck's hit the two year old mark! My practice has just started to be that if you are going to be whiny, push other kids who come near you, or be generally miserable, you can go hang out in your playpen for awhile until you want to play with the rest of us. There is only so much grating crying I can take - not to mention the older kids don't like it either and ask me why she cries so much or what she is crying about!