All I Want Is Mommy!

We had this happen with our daughter too...wanting only mommy. I felt bad for my husband and looked for was for them to connect. Our daughter was an arts and crafts child very hands on and I had the Together Time monthly craft kit for us to do. So when I saw the science experiment kit from the Creative Learning Insitute I had to get it for them to do. (They are the same company.) I loved that the kit came with all the supplies for three crafts/experiments and there is a lot of extras... stickers, posters, magazines, trading fact cards and a calendar to color. It really was worth every penny. It has been a while since I have ordered these kits but their address is The Learning Institute 7 Indian Hill Ave PO Box 208 Portland CT 06480-9986. I hope this offers an idea. I think the science kit offered a great way for them to connect and it really was easy too... with all the supplies, method sheets and fact cards ready he was able to just enjoy the experience without stressing it was over her head.

tough love, is the answer...not too tough, but she cannot waste all of your efforts...make her let daddy help her and it will get easier

I agree with most of the other posts. You just need to tough it out some. My daughter went through phases like that. We took some time and had dad put her to bed. The first couple nights were rough, but my husband was so great with her, talked, read a book, etc. and she actually goes to bed better for him than me because he doesn't put up with her stalling tactics like I do.

Maybe plan some alone time with just your daughter and dad. Have him take her out shopping or something, just the 2 of them.

You definitely need to develop the father/daughter bond, for both of you. It is extremely tiring for her to be dependent only on you.

Good luck,
K.

Don't let her have mommy all the time even when you're present. Use tough love, tell you can't help her right now but daddy can. Let her and daddy work it out. Support your husband as he deals with the frustration of not being successful.
I have a child who used to not eat for daddy. I just had to learn to stand back and tell him that if he didn't want to go hungry he had to eat for daddy because I wasn't going to do it. He now feeds himself better for daddy than he does for me.
B.

The hardest thing for a parent is to listen to their child crying, but giving into her is just going to make it worse. Right now your daughter is running the show and as long as you allow it, it will continue. I would leave her with her dad and leave the house, she may cry the first few times you do it, but she will eventually get used to it.
Good luck!

I'm sure it's probably because you are spending more time with the new baby and she wants all your attention to herself again. The only thing I can think of is always being there, but having daddy do things. As long as you are present, maybe that would help, and she would get used to daddy taking care of her too. But definitely do things for her whenever you can. I'm sure it's a phase that she'll grow out of soon anyway. Good luck!

Maybe try taking an activity she LOVES to do (going to the zoo, the park, riding her bike, etc) and make it a daddy activity? She might balk less at having him participate in something that is fun for her, esp if you're busy with the baby. Similarly, I'd also make sure she's getting some good, solid one-on-one time with you. It's a hard adjustment--you want her to learn that she's not the center of the universe, but, at least in our home, our firstborn pretty much WAS the center of our universe, and the understanding that he's not comes painfully. The best you can do is cushion it and reassure her that you love her as much as you ever did.

My son used to be a major mommy's boy. My husband didn't spend a lot of time with him. Then after our second child was born and Taylor turned 2, My husband started taking him with him to the store and fishing and several other things. Now Taylor cries when Daddy leaves and he doesn't get to go. He and my husband have become very close. Maybe your husband should try taking her to do something fun that you haven't. Then she will associate him with new fun things, and can't say I like the way mommy does it better. It is worth a try, and it will probably be really good for all of you. Good Luck!

L.

It's probably gotten worse lately because of the baby. Give it time. My kids constantly go bad and forth between which parent they prefer (ever since they were born). Sometimes it'll last for a couple days or weeks, but sometimes it's longer. I'm sure pretty soon she'll be a total Daddy's Girl =)

I can't wait to hear what people say because my 16 month old is the same! My husband works evenings so we take turns sleeping in (our daughter is a very early riser) but these past 3 weeks all she wants is mom! She throws a histerical fit until I get up and go play with her. I feel so bad for my husband who is so tired that I keep giving in and just getting up with her! Our solution is that we are dropping her off at her grandma's or my sister in laws and going away for the weekend. We both need a break, badly! Good luck!

D., this is normal, take the time and enjoy your child while they want you , soon all they will want is dad and then how will you feel, its normal, but she will just have to deal with having dad do somethings especially if you are busy, with the other child, this takes balance and is very hard, it also pulls at your heartstrings, but this is normal, and every child goes through a phase of i want mommy , or i want daddy, its ok , you and the daddy , and the little one will ge through it, it sounds like you are doing well, try to balance between two kids, and share the load with dad as well, just enjoy life, and love them, soon they will be grown and gone, any way ,have a good day , D. s

My son has been like that as well. Now at 3 he's just leaving a really tough time with that. We just kept plugging away with it and not giving in, despite the tantrums and crying. At ECFE they said it's very normal and that you need to show empathy but then still have dad do his thing. Like have one of you say, "I know you really want mommy, but she can't help right now so daddy will help." It seemed like our son would be miserable forever, but it has gotten better. Good luck!

I agree with the others - she is testing your limits. At 3 you start to treat them more like little adults because their language skills have developed but they aren't that smart yet.

It is hard but you need to lay down the rules - Dad puts you to bed 4 nights a week, mom 3 nights a week. You can't deprive her of mom but you need to show her that it is you in control and not her.