3 year old loves his dad; horrible to me a lot of the time

[orangeisafruit]

He seems to prefer his dad. he is nice to me, sweet to me if he's in the mood or if he is getting his own way. But he tells me to go away, shouts at me, and refuses, often, to let me get involved with him and his dad.

DH feels bad; he tells him off when he talks to me badly etc and is a great dad, and husband and really really good parent.

Probably much better than me :-) I've always suspected it and now DS is being as he is, it almost confirms it.

Problem is that I do a lot of the cooking, the 'admin' of our lives, the transitions from nursery etc. I am often exhausted and probably don't have as much time for DS as I should - but that said, he's very demanding and I play with him A LOT and spend a lot of time doing with stuff.

I just now feel that nothing is enough

Is it a phase? What should i do? It makes me cry

I sympathise as my DS is exactly the same, we have a great time when we are together doing things but as soon as DH is home then I'm usually out of the picture. My DS is generally a real man's man and it's the same with his grandparents - granddad is always first choice! It has upset me in the past but now I enjoy the time that he and I do things together and make the most of a little down time (or run around doing a hundred jobs!!) when DH is at home.

If your DS is being rude I would pull him up on that and explain that it's not very nice to speak to you that way but try not to take it to heart and instead enjoy a little time out when your DH and DS are playing.

It is so full on trying to be a good parent whilst juggling home and work but it sounds like you are doing a great job and just try not to take it personally.