This is my first post and am really in need of advice. I met a wonderful man nearly two years ago with 3 children, a boy (19) and two girls (18 and 15). They are all wonderful children; I feel very fortunate. I do not see them much as we don't live together and I work and attend school in the evenings, plus I have 3 boys of my own.

My concern is about SD15 who is very affectionate and clingy to her father. Disclaimer: I am not jealous in any way at all. I encourage my fiance to spend as much time with them as possible, especially the youngest, SD15. I totally understand that they have a special bond; he is a wonderful father. All that said, is it normal for her to follow him around the house, put her head in his lap, hang on to him, hold his hand, and attempt to hug him (most times from behind) sometimes 30 times a day? I absolutely believe it is a necessity to show physical affection to our children: hugs, kisses, etc. She always needs to be next to him at the couch, at dinner, anywhere. My fiance said she has been clingy since she was 5, but I am concerned that there is something else going on here. One theory is that she is worried about losing her father to me, but the reality is that I am rarely around and I would never want her to feel that way. We don't live together and with our schedules, I might see her once a month. Her father and I will not be getting married until she graduates in 3 years because we thought it was best for our kids. She lives with him 50% of the time but also sees him on the off week due to sports, activities, etc. She is a very intelligent girl who excels at anything she does in sports, etc., so I am concerned about the behavior that does not seem age appropriate. I would like to help in any way I can. My fiance is starting to get annoyed with the constant hanging on but has felt that she must need it. This weekend at a family gathering, he counted the number of times she interrupted him when talking to others so she could hug him, hang on him, hold his hand, etc. It was nearly 30 times in about 5 hours. When we all held hands for a blessing she flew across the room moving several people out of her way so she could grab his hand. Afterwards he said that was the most clinginess there had ever been and that he thought she had been getting better.

Could anyone shed any light here? Is there anything that I can do that I am not doing? Please help! Thank you in advance!