2YO only settles for dad!

[Lucy211]

Hi,

Does anyone have any tips for a 2 year old (23 months to be exact) who has a strong preference for her Dad (my DH)? Particularly at night, if I go in to settle her, she’ll just scream “Daddy”, and I end up winding her up rather than calming her down! But it’s all the time, once DH was cooking and she asked for a hug. I offered the hug instead, and she had a tantrum until I took over cooking and DH picked her up.

We share childcare pretty evenly, so it’s not that she sees one of us vastly more - I probably do 60% and my DH does 40%. He is a bit more fun than me - he’s better at being silly with her, plus I end up doing a bit more of the getting ready/cooking/eating parts of her day. But she does have quality time/play time with both of us.

Any advice is welcome - right now, my DH is exhausted and worn out from doing most of the night wakes, and I’m slightly jealous that my daughter doesn’t care about me if DH is an option! Also, I’m pregnant at the moment and due in May - I’m worried if this isn’t solved, we’re going to have an issue where I end up doing all the newborn care because DD won’t let me look after her, when actually my DH and I want to continue doing 50% each of the care for both children!

Both my daughters were the same,I couldn't go near the older one for a good few months as all she wanted was her mum but the 2nd one just wanted me.it will change,it's nothing personal they just change their minds like the weather.its hard when the other parent seems to be doing it all but all you can do is keep trying and it will change.promise.i know I'm not probably not much help but just wanted to say it happens but it doesn't last.