DS prefers DH to me. Shouldn't bother me but does a tiny bit. Anyone else?

[Snowboarder]

My 14 mo old DS (11 months corrected) is a lovely baby and we have a great relationship. The thing is though he actively prefers DH to me. DH works quite long hours (during the week he's out of house before DS wakes and home 30 mins before bed) and is sometimes away so it's fab they have a close bond.

When he sees DH his face lights up, he often says Dadda, but never Mummy, and when DH gets home on a night DS is so excited I think he'll burst! I know he does love me but I'm always there (on mat leave still) so he never has the time or opportunity to miss me. He will play with me all day and we have a fab time together but as soon as Daddy is around DS doesn't want to know

I know it's petty but I am just a tiny bit hurt to be so obviously second choice when I'm with DS 24 hours a day and do everything for him.

Is anyone else having this first world problem or is it just me? Someone tell me to get a grip, please!

You aren't second best . It's just that as you say you've been with ds all day, so when his daddy comes home ds wants to play with him and maybe him alone because he realises on some level that daddy is only around for a short time. If you were away for a while ds would miss you and his face would light up on your return.

My 6 month old dd2 gazes in wonder when her daddy comes home. Dp works away 3/4 days & nights a week. One night she was in bed between us and as this was first time she'd seen daddy since he came home, she kept turning to grin at him then looking back at me as if to say "it's daddy!". Very sweet .

Do you never get out for a whole day so it's you he missed all day? DD is always super pleased to see me when I return from work, when she's been with DP all day, but the same time the other way when DP is out for a long time she's super excited to see her.

In fact what was probably her first real word was a Mummy the day DP was out from before she got up to after she went to bed, and a little crying crisis after about 10 hours with lots of Mummy words.

She's also almost certainly taken her cues from you - you've likely been excited when DH comes home and she's learnt the same excitement from you. Be happy that she knows Dadda even though he's away a lot.

DS adored DH until he was about 3, now it's all about mummy. It did upset me a wee bit but now I could do with some peace sometimes

I could have written large chunks of your post - particularly the bit where he says Dadda but not Mummy!! Curiously, my DS is 11mo

It does upset me a little bit sometimes but mostly I try to be grateful that DS adores his daddy and that it's clearly mutual. DS's little face does light up if I return after any lengthy absence (e.g. 3 hours) so I know he likes me too....

If you get a grip then I'll try to get one as well :)

Oh same here OP.
Does my head in a bit really, when I'm the one slaving away to meet his every need!
Even the new baby prefers her Dad

He says Dadda because you say it-because you are there all the time he isn't hearing Mummy.
He doesn't love him more-you are just taken for granted.
Love isn't a competition! There isn't just so much to go around and so loving one takes nothing away from the other. Just be pleased that they have such a good relationship.

Same here.
DS1 (4.5) NEEDS me
DS2 17mo only has eyes for his Dad. So every morning (7/7) he sobs his heart out when Daddy goes to work...
I think it is cute, and much less wearing than having a clingy toddler!