Those of you with DC who prefer their father, does it get better?

[missorinoco]

That's it really. DD prefers her father. She is contented enough to be with me but rarely wants me to do anything if DH is around. If I do she screams and tantrums. (She's 2 1/2.) It's starting to get me down. There's only so much "DAADDEEE" I can take.

Does it get better, or do you have any tips? I know I am the adult and shouldn't take it personally, but I'm finding it hard at the moment.

TIA

Oh yes. At least it did for me. DD was always a daddy's girl when she was little bit at some point (and I couldn't tell you when) she and I became very close. We still are and she's 21 now.

Ds is a daddys boy! Anything is great if its with daddy! ANYTHING!!
Ds is fine with me but I dont get the same reactions or responses as dh does. It used to get me down but then I realised that ds loves me just as much, but we spend alot more time together than he does with dh, so things aren't quite as exciting.
To be honest, now iv'e realised that, I actually find it quite sweet when I watch them together. It has certainly helped dh as he was'nt very paternal pre-ds and its nice to see how its changed him!

Dont let it get you down, you might find that you start resenting dh. Enjoy the bond that they have, and enjoy the bond that you have with your dd.

It will change over the years/months from one to the other I expect. Dh told ds off the other day and suddenly he was a mummys boy for a while!!

She is 2 1/2! Screaming and tantrums are part of the drill! She'll grow out of that (hopefully)!

Can you get your dh to back you up abit? Maybe ask him too tell her that you need to do something?

Bloody hell, I'm rambling again!!

It varies on a daily basis. DS (2) sometimes wants me, sometimes daddy. Usually me if he's ill or hungry. Usually daddy if he wants to play. We both just go with it.

Thanks everyone.

Elves, you have a good point, I should look on the positive side and remind myself how good a father DH is.

TheElves made me laugh, her little boy loves his Daddy but when he told him off he was a Mummy's boy for a while!!!......aaawwwww-just too cute!!!

My DD (2.5) definitely loves DP more than me, no matter how much he denies it. I think he feels guilty sometimes and tries to get her to come to me about something or other, but, on the whole, I'm ok with it.

I do often joke that the reason I had a boy next is so that I could be the favourite with someone, as I keep hearing that boys generally love mum more.

My DS1 is obsessed with his daddy. I am fine with it as he will do as I ask but for his dad he is tantrummy, clingy and kicks up a stink whenever DH wants do something without DS!! It's just a phase, I know DS loves me too... perhaps because DP is around less at work etc, DS is clingy when he IS around iyswim?

I can relate to this...I am a SAHM but work a few hours at a weekend. My DS has built a great bond with his daddy while I am at work....which is great but DS is now forever calling for his daddy etc. think LOs are more 'interested' in the parent that is absent ( at work all week)...as the SAHP is the one who does the 'daily tasks'...discipline etc.

We have this. My thought is-if my friend I haven't seen for a while walks through the door, does she get the same reaction as dh gets? No, I get all excited over the friend and have a warm but everyday reaction to dh (mostly unless it's been a rough day in which case he gets passed a child before I exit the room ). But who have I chosen to spend my life with, who is the one who's there for me like no one else? Now the analogy falls down a bit because my dd's dad is all those things too, but it helps me.

My ds was a total daddy's boy at 2-2.5yo. He used to say 'dont want mummy, want daddy' and even 'dont like mummy'. I must admit it did really bother me. Once dd was born (just before ds turned 3) he totally changed his allegiances. He is now nothing but a mummy's boy!

I think 2.5 is peak time for parent preferences.
Both of my dds prefered me when they were babies, then around 2 my dd1 became a real daddy's girl, possibly in response to me having dd2 and being tied in breastfeeding.
Dd1 has now totally changed and now chooses mum over dad. This happened at about 4.

I do however think its up to the favoured parent, not to force the less favoured one on to the child, but to show that they really love the less favoured one and love spending time with them - want them part of their little gang of two iyswim.

My dd prefers her step father to me. It used to really upset me but he has put the hours in at home while I have been been too career focused so it is my own fault .

Dd is 10.

my DS1 very keen on his dad indeed from a baby - he probably prefers me now at nearly 6 - from about 41/2 onward maybe- it was a bit hard at times but I did put it down to mostly he saw less of him - and it does show your DH is doing a good job!
DS2 liked me best as baby - but from about 15months probably prefers his dad -

Don't see it as a competition. It generally means that they feel secure enough to take you for granted. They go through different phases.