Mommy vs Daddy

[littlesista06]

Help! Is this a phase????

DD is so fickle with dh and me.... sometimes it's all Daddy and sometimes is all me. Like, he can't read to her and he can't play with her, or put her to bed - it HAS to be me.
Then other times she's like an appendage of his, she doesn't leave his side.
I always thought she'd like us both - at the same time. :lol:
Has anyone else gone through this?

[Diane]

With my children it was usually always ME... As they grew older they were more likely to include their dad but not usually JUST daddy... I always had to be there too. I think they were like this only because I was the one with them the most and they felt more comfortable with me. It wasn't until dh moved his office into our home that they started to feel closer and including him more. :)

Diane... :wave:

[Amy]

I heard this is quite normal behavior. There are different qualities in you and your dh that your dd seeks out depending on her moods. Girls are quite moody too! LOL

With my dd-it has always been me. Dh had been gone off and on (military) for the first 3 years of her life and didn't have the same bond as I do. They are fine now, but when she needs something, its always Mommy. Ds on the other hand, has a deep bond with him and he can go either way with us. When I was gone for two days recently, he had a BLAST with dh and never cried for me once.

[AnnW]

How old is your child? Yep, both my kids have gone through this (probably ds more so than dd) where they wanted nothing to do with dh and wanted only me, and then vice versa.

[KarlaB]

We have gone thru this a little with dks, too. Oldest ds used to tell dh "no no" (like "go back to work" lol ) when he walked in the door after work - this was during his busy coaching season when ds and I had a lot of time together. Now both dks do well being with either of us. They get lots of time with me during the day and when dh gets home he's ready to play whatever they want and they love it! :) Youngest ds goes in spurts where sometimes I have to be the one to help him get dressed, get his milk, etc, but I really don't think it's because he necessarily prefers me - I think that it's more of a test of his 2 yo "powers" LOL!

Although frustrating, I do think this is normal and just a phase. Hang in there and good luck!

[littlesista06]

AnnW - dd is 5 1/2

It's funny - the more time she spends with him i.e. on weekends, etc. the more she 'craves' him.

She's been going through this "I have to see him leave!" every morning. (or whenever he leaves the house) She's just getting up when he's leaving, and whoa boy - look out if she hasn't made it to the front porch by the time he's pulling out of the driveway!! What a meltdown!!!! :bigcry:
But, when he comes in from work - it's almost like pulling teeth for her to say "Hello" to him - weird.

[Ryleigh]

dd went through that stage at about 5 or 6. She still has moments but not often. Now it's more ask Mom and if you don't like her answer go ask Dad.

ds has always been Mommy's boy. He has a good relationship with dh too, but when it comes to times when he is scared, upset, or unsure of something, he wants "MOMMY"

It can get frustrating, but it passes all too quickly and then you miss them coming to you for every little thing.

[RCT]

both mine went threw this, but they were younger than 5....now I am the one who is always needed, unless they don't like my answer...but ds would love to go with dh all the time......anywhere....dd loves to read and hug daddy...but if he looks at her wrong man, this kid is a mess of tears....

[Diane]

When I was little I remember always being a "mommies girl". LOL I hardly remember EVER giving/getting hugs or kisses from my dad. I guess I looked at him more as the one who was always there to dicipline us when we were naughty. LOL As we grew older we were a lot closer to him, but I always preferred my mom, and so did all of my sisters.

Diane... :wave: