How to handle unkind behaviour

[Pob13]

My 3yr old DS is going through a "mummy only" phase. This means he can be truly horrible to his dad. He will tell him to go away, wont let him sit next to him, wont let him do bedtime, etc. But they also have a wonderful time playing together, its clear he loves his dad so much. And he is such a loving kid.
DH is going through a rough time personally so it really upsets him when DS tells him to go away.
We have tried to explain that it isnt kind behaviour but Im thinking it needs something else. Not a punishment, just some sort of consequence maybe.
Any advice would be great!

How long has the phase been? DS was like this on holiday once, it was really bizarre but only lasted three or four days. And I (his mum) was the one he didn’t want. Just daddy, daddy, daddy. No idea where it came from and then one day it just stopped. So if it’s not been that long you could just ride it out.
I suppose you could think to yourself what if it was the other way around? What would you do differently and what would you want your DH to do to support you? Personally I would say he doesn’t get a choice in who puts him to bed etc. give him a cuddle and then say ‘Mummy’s busy now, you need to go with daddy.’ And weather the storm that follows. And give them opportunities to spend time without you - sorry!

And I wouldn’t accept my DS telling me to ‘go away’ - he’s not the boss of the house and it’s not his place to tell anyone where they can and can’t be. I’d explain that quite firmly.

It has been going on for about 6 months but comes and goes. We have had a few instances of him only wanting dad but it is mainly me.
I agree, we definitely need to be tougher. He definitely rules the house at the moment, we need to change that.