3 year old suddenly hates me

[namechange9374]

3 year old DS has always favoured me (mum). Suddenly just a couple of weeks ago this shifted and he is all about DH. This is fine and I remember although not as dramatically my older DS favouring us at different times.
My concern is DS seems to actually dislike me. He often tells me I'm not nice, he doesn't like me, only wants DH to cuddle him/put him to bed. I'm not reacting but I'm finding it upsetting. I probably sound abit pathetic but just wondered if anyone else had experienced similar?
The only thing I can possibly think has triggered it is I normally pick DS up from nursery but one day a couple of weeks ago I had to work late. It was from that day I think and DH said at the time DS wasn't happy I didn't pick him up. DH explained to him Mummy's at work. When I got home I am sure that was the first time DS told me he didn't like me.

All three of ours did this with both of us at times to varying degrees. it's a normal three year old boundary testing behaviour - he has learnt that words can hurt, possibly because he is old enough that he has had fallouts with friends at nursery. The first thing they always seem to say is 'You're not my friend any more'. And now he needs to know that won't happen at home.

But you are his mum not his friend so you love him whether or not he likes you. Tell him that and ignore the hurtful statements. No fuss no drama no being mean back, but don't accept actual bad behaviour and if it's your turn to do bedtime etc carry on. I doubt the late pick up triggered it but even if it did your response of not reacting is right. It will pass. Or he'll flip and try it on Dad for a bit. But eventually it will pass.