toddler who only wants her mum

[MotherofPearl]

DD is nearly 2 & for the last month or so seems to have gone completely off DP, her dad. She won't allow him to put her to bed, dress her or give her any meals, & goes as far as saying 'go away Daddy' when he comes into a room she's in. If he dares to sit down on the sofa next to us she orders him off: 'No Daddy sofa!' She also dislikes DP showing me any affection - a hug between us elicits a 'No cuddles MummyDaddy'.
It's really becoming quite problematic because it means I have to do everything for her, plus of course it's pretty hurtful for DP. He's tried taking her on extra fun outings lately to help things along, but to no avail. Not sure whether to just wait this out or whether there's something we could be doing to help. Any advice gratefully appreciated!

It may be that daddy has done something unknowingly to cause DD an upset. Just spend a little time together to see if this is the case and address it.

However, 2 is around the age when most children become wilful as they become very self aware. This may well be a passing phase.

If mummy and daddy can agree between them what can be done to bring DD back to a place of acceptance of daddy then she will begin to recognise that mummy and daddy are together in their relationship with each other and with her and that daddy is not the 'enemy' or even the competition for mummy's affections.

It would be good for DD to hear from mummy that she loves daddy and that DD has no reason to feel threatened by daddy. That daddy wants to make both DD and mummy happy. That if she allows daddy to be the daddy he wants to be, it would make mummy very happy indeed.

The key is to not be forceful. Be gentle with her, she is discovering herself now. It's all new, and provided that nothing untoward has occurred, she will, with gentle persuasion and a lot of affection, soften her position and allow daddy back into her circle of trust.

BTW Motherofpearl. I am a daddy of a grown up DD and DS

Thanks thehappyparent, I do like the idea of gently showing her that we're all on the same side. Will have to see how it goes I guess...

keep me informed Motherofpearl