"I don't LIKE you Daddy, I WANT MOMMY!!!"

[Flutterby]

My 3 y.o. must be going through stage (I hope!). She tells my DH that she doesn't like him and only wants me. When dh is home, dd won't let him do anything for her like get her a snack, help with her clothes, or heaven forbid, read her a story and put her to bed. Its really aggravating. When I go out and leave her with dh, she's perfectly happy to let Daddy do all these things, with a smile on her face. If I'm home, its screaming and crying for me to do it. I took a shower tonight while dh put the kids to bed, and I could hear the loud, teary protests coming from the bedroom. Do I step in and take over for dh, or do I just let him handle it and she'll just have to accept that dh will care for her too? My other 3 never acted like this with dh, so this is brand new. Any suggestions?

[_Gypsy_]

Let him handle it. Don't undermine him.

If you go in when there is screaming and protests, she will learn that screaming and protests get her her way.

If you want to put her to bed, then YOU start out doing it, instead of stepping in after she is screaming and crying for you.

[SingingMom]

I'm with Gypsy. You could go in and smile and say, "I'm busy right now, honey. Daddy's taking good care of you. I'll see you when I'm done."

Or you could stay out entirely.

You can also run in and take over before the screaming starts. It's not a great option, but sometimes you do have to just get to bed without a tantrum.

But whichever choice you make, I would certainly try hard not to reward the screaming and protesting.

[frannie]

Have you and DH gotten into any tiffs around her, maybe shes trying to show you shes on your side. I think you should be extra cuddly with him so she can see how much you like daddy. Ask him to get you things and over exaggerate the thank you's. I hope that will help. Im sure she will get over the fase soon enough, I hope your DH isnt to hurt over it.

[BoobySnacks]

DD went through a similar stage, she would even fall apart when DH and I would snuggle with eachother. She did not want us to snuggle, she thought that snuggle was only for her. She got over it and now she likes for her daddy to do things for her. Just hang in there. I would not get in the middle, but if you have suggestions to help DH out when he is dealing with this, I am sure he would appreciate them..just not when your little one is close enough to hear. When DD protested, I would stay away and then give DH tips later for next time.

[PiccoloRose]

DD will be 3 in December. She's going through a similar stage, but she wants her grandma instead of me. She's even told me "No love mommy, want ma. Ma better." Ma is what she calls my momma. I figure things will work themselves out in time. I just try to be patient and wait things out.