One question - if the crying stops the minute you're out of sight, have you considered that - at least for this instance - that you might be being played just a bit? Kids will manipulate our heart-strings, and sometimes they'll buy into the emotion because it creates an intense connection with the parent. What worked for me with my more intense kiddo was just calmly telling them they'd be ok and then leaving. If I didn't buy into the drama, it was a lot less likely they'd continue with it if it meant they couldn't play and didn't get the reward they wanted of me feeling guilty and showing them with more attention later on in the day.

Now I'm not saying this is what's happening at all. I'm just putting it out there for consideration.

~Lisa
http://www.lisaabeyta.wordpress.com/