Husband children's 'favourite', despite doing far less parenting - managing rejection

[OE1986]

I have a 3 year old (f), & 1 year old (m). My husband is a really amazing father to them. But his work is demanding & he regularly travels for up to a week at a time. Even when he is here, he very rarely does nursery pickup or is about for bath-time. I work part time & have more flexibility, so inevitably end up doing most of the childcare - probably about 70% of it mostly on my own.
I adore my kids, and have a great relationship with both of them - there's a lot of love between us all. And although it's bloody hard & you need unlimited patience (as people will know 🤯), I always try to make things fun. But even so, my husband is very clearly their favourite (he notices too - it's even a running joke). I have always brushed this off over the years, just wanting to put their needs first - but after a while it really stings. And not only does it leave me feeling really crap, but sort of makes me resent him a little bit too given how much more work I do.
Is it normal for kids this age to have clear favourites? Do I need to be the prodigal parent a bit and prioritise staying late at work and seeing friends etc too to balance the load? Any tips welcome! ❤️

You need him to parent when he is there.
If he is just the fun one then that is why you think they favour him.
When he is home you split childcare and chores 50/50

Don't worry about it. At the moment you are the one doing discipline and parenting and dad is just fun. As your DC get older you will be the anchor.

Even when he is here, he very rarely does nursery pickup or is about for bath-time.

Because of work?

Thank you so much for those replies - I'm new to this forum so don't know how to reply to specific user but yes, it's bc of work that he rarely does pickup / bath etc.

It's ok, by the time they are 10/11 they will know who they can rely on and which parent is always there for them. DH is my eldest's favourite by far, but it's me she comes to when she's upset or has a problem.

It's not a game of favourites though is it.

you are proving them with safety, routine, predictability and stability. Your presence and care of them is as given as breathing is for them.

that daddy's presence is special and exciting is because he is special and exciting. And likely to disappear again at any moment with (at that age) no idea or concept of when they will see him again.

I'd take 'as given and needed as breathing' over fleeting moments of being the chosen one personally.

I have a 2yo and a 3yo. 3yo has always been a daddy's boy and 2yo a mummy's boy. However, recently the 2yo is wanting his daddy more and 3yo has been coming to me more often, especially when feeling poorly or tired, only mummy cuddles will do.

I'm their main carer as I work p/t but dad involved in nursery runs and teatimes so they are used to us both being around. Nobody is as flippant with their favourites as a toddler I find.

They are secure in their relationship with you.. Df is something of a novelty....

Thank you all so much for the comments - it certainly helps bring perspective and has helped to see things in a more positive light!

This, absolutely. It shows what a strong bond and secure attachment there is between you and your children. They are secure enough of their love and care from you, that they are able to branch out and appear to 'favour' someone else, who, as this poster said, appears and disappears, and is exciting. They do not love him more. They just want his attention more at the times he is around. My children can appear to show favouritism towards their grandparents. It's just they are more exciting because they don't see them as often. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. I'm their mum, and it's an incomparable relationship.