My 2 1/2 year old daughter has recently become very attached to her dad, my husband. This is not a bad thing, but..... I am jealous! Has anyone ever had this experience? I'll admit that she has always had a slight preference for me; crying for me, wanting me to do things, etc. I know that we bonded strongly very early and she is just probably beginning to form that strong bond with him, but I can't help feeling left out. I am also more likely to follow through with our household rules and procedures. Dad is more likely to let things slide if he feels someting might take some effort to enforce. She knows daddy is a little indulgent. I don't want to be the bad guy, but we can't have chocolate milk EVERY time and we have to brush our teeth and put our things away where they belong, etc.
I think it is normal. I have had the same issues with my daughter suddenly preferring my exhusband. The fact that it's an ex makes it harder, but I really have come to see that a natural. She's kind of grown out of it already.
Awww. I would probably be sad too. However, I think it's just a phase. Like you said she's just now forming that strong bond with him. My daughter is the opposite. She ONLY wants me. She never lets me have a break. If my husband does anything she just throws a fit because he didn't do it the way mommy does. I would talk to your husband and let him know that he needs to enforce teeth brushing and cleaning up toys. That might help a little.
I would be thankful that she wants to be with Dad more! You need a break but it doesn't mean that her preference isn't still you. My son does the same thing and he still wants me when it really matters.
Good Luck!
Have you spoken to your husband about this? Let him know how you are feeling and that you would appreciate his help in the discipline area, so that you are not always the bad person. Also maybe set up mommy and daddy times, one time during the week or more if you want for each of you where you go somewhere with just mommy or just daddy, on a walk, to the park, a movie whatever you want to do, or just out in the back yard , but whatever the case it just has to be you or your husband do not invade on each others times. Try this and see if it helps! S.
I know how you feel. I have a daughter who is a daddy's girl and has been for a long time. Luckily I have four children so not all of them are "daddy's girls" and I have a son who was a really big mamma's boy until he turned 11 years. Now he looks up to his dad, but I know he still loves me as well. The same goes for all of my children. I guess we have to learn to share just as our children do.
Dear D.,
Our daughter has done the same thing on and off since she turned one. I was very hurt when she wanted to spend most of her time with daddy after I stopped breast feeding. I missed the closeness I felt and our time together. Now that she is 28 months old and she still goes through phases where she wants one or the other parent only from time to time. Just be sure that both of you are on the same page about the does and don'ts. Once our daughter noticed that my husband and I were checking in with each other on what we had told her she could do she stopped migrating between us to get what she wanted. No from one parent has to be up held by the other.
J.
