Clingy DS, resentful DP, PMT, I'm getting very annoyed!

[snowleopard]

Not with DS so much, although it can be a pain that I can hardly leave the room to have a wee or make some tea because he screams and runs after me.

The annnoying thing is DP taking it so bloody personally and getting upset. I'm sorry for him as DS is sometimes quite rude to him, pushing him away and saying "No Daddy!" (he's 19 months). But I feel as if I not only have to deal with DS's clinginess, I also have to spend half my life reassuring DP and tending to his bruised ego.

The daft thing is DS actually adores DP and has loads of laughs with him, we have a bedtime routine in which DS spends lots of time alone with DP and he's fine with that, they play together etc. But whenever he rejects him it's back to the "he dosn't like me" and pity parties. Aaarrrgh.

I've got PMT (can you tell) which isn't helping, but firstly, is DS's behaviour normal, and will it stop (or even reverse?) - and how can I reassure DP once and for all and stop his blimmin moaning?

[Tatties]

Ds has gone through this phase of not wanting to kiss/hug daddy (or anyone else who happened to ask for one!) He is 21mo now and today when visiting family he was freely giving out hugs and kisses (although at times he still will refuse).

I think it is just a phase, and I think that at this age they are testing out some boundaries, they are learning that they can say no to things - rather than it being a rejection of daddy. IME the best thing to do is just respect ds's wishes and don't make a big deal of it. IMO it is good for them to learn they don't have to give physical affection if they don't want it, and not to be made to feel guilty/naughty for refusing. I'm sure your ds will be more affectionate with his daddy as he gets older, tell dp not to worry!

[choosyfloosy]

Laugh and say 'remind me about this when he's 3 and only has two phrases - "i don't like you mummy, you are not the best" and "where is daddy"

[snowleopard]

Thank you both! This is what poor DP needs to hear. I do feel bad for getting so annoyed with him - he's been tiptoeing around getting me drinks and ordering a takeaway as he has suspected the terrible PMT truth. But sometimes he is just like another toddler...

Luckily it's me DP moans to; he does avoid giving DS a hard time about it. Maybe I will find out how this feels when he only wants daddy - at the moment though I'm just looking forward to it.