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Toddler will only go to sleep for dad HELP

4 replies

SadDustBunny · 12/09/2023 04:04

Our toddler is 2. I'm a stay at home mother. Husband works full time and sometimes world very late into the night. DS used to go to sleep for me but recently started refusing to go to sleep until husband is home. We've tried shortening his nap from 1 hour to 30 minutes to see if that would help but he did not react well. He is visibly tired at night but will jolt himself awake to avoid falling asleep. We've tried more one on one time with him and dad before work but it doesn't seem to help either.

He's very anxious when his dad leaves for work and it takes nearly 30 minutes to calm him down once dad leaves. When he is calm he sometimes just stops what he's doing very suddenly and says "I want dad." Very sad like and it breaks my heart.

But his dad is exhausted when he gets home but has to put him down immediately. His bedtime is supposed to be 8 but he's been sleeping in later and later because he's not properly sleeping! Sometimes he goes to bed as late as 1am!

Please any suggestions would be welcome.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
oakleaffy · 12/09/2023 04:11

I have heard of kids suddenly preferring Dad at around this age- My own son definitely had a “ Loving to be with Dad stage-

But I bet if you weren’t on the scene he’d soon be wanting Mum!
No suggestions, but this is not unusual.

I remember my own son crying “ Daddy daddy daddy over and over “
It is sad.

Don’t worry too much Op 🙂

SadDustBunny · 12/09/2023 04:17

Thank you for the comforting words. It's funny you said that. Just the other day we thought it would do some good for them to get some one on one time at the park with dad but he sulked and cried for mummy at the bench where I usually sit. 😅🤦🏻‍♀️ Apparently it's just not the same if mum isn't there!

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Crunchingleaf · 12/09/2023 08:24

My toddler seems happiest when we are both around. He especially loves dad though.

How long is it going on. At this age it’s likely to be a phase that he will grow out off.

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LunaLoveFood · 12/09/2023 08:26

I'm not sure eof this would upset him more, but could you try recording dh reading a bedtime story to play to him at night?

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