My 2.5 year old is a very confident, independent and happy little boy. He only gets looked after by either myself or his dad (his dad works in the day and I go to work in the evening when he gets home). He doesn’t attend pre-school yet but starts in January when he’s 3.
At home he is so loving to us, he does go through phases of preferring one parent but we have got used to that (even though it hurts!)
The issue is when we go and visit or stay with other people (family members). My son literally prefers everybody else to myself or his father, to the point where he tells us to “go away” “don’t talk daddy” “sit down” we aren’t allowed to play with him and although it’s funny at first it becomes hurtful and quite embarrassing to be so rejected.
We do lots with him too, days out, swimming lessons, rugbytots, painting, baking, we limit screen time and have mealtimes together when I’m not working, so I like to think we are ‘fun parents’. Yesterday he refused to leave grandmas, he would only play with her while we were there and told us to “go away” and “I want to stay here”. I know it’s normal for toddlers to have tantrums but he favours family members he doesn’t even know that well over us eg on a family weekend in Devon he was literally following his aunts and uncles around and telling me and his dad to go away.
Sorry big long rant/ramble. Just starting to feel like I’m doing everything wrong and my child hates me. Anyone experienced similar? Tia x
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Behaviour/development
2.5 year old rejecting parents
JessandRafe · 31/07/2019 07:31
So apart from this time with relatives, he's always with you or his dad? As lovely as that sounds, could he be a bit fed up of seeing the same faces every day and just be welcoming a bit of a change at relatives houses? Does he get much chance to socialise at toddler groups and classes? This does sound completely normal, just a way of exploring his independence and meeting some new people. Assuming the relatives are happy to play with him for a bit, enjoy the break and stop worrying! 
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