Daddy's Little Girl - Not

Just a bunch of random thoughts...

There are many possibilities as to why she is "needing" you and some of it probibly has to do with the fact that all of a sudden your attention has to be split with another person... Even if it wern't her daddy, she would probibly get clingy if someone else dropped in for weekends.

I would say to have a discussion with hubby. So he knows what to prepare for. Arrange a weekend/ couple days trip for YOU/ or them!!! You keep the baby to make it easier on him... SHe may not realize that daddy can take just as good care of her as you can. ... Then she has noone to lean on BUT HIM... And it gives them bonding time... Don't know what they would do, but they should do it TOGETHER... No mommy interference. ANd don't call to talk to her every night.

Or it could just be HER. My 6 yr old although she loves her daddy, will chose me helping her over him. Always has... My 6yr DD and 3 yr DS still fight over who's gonna sit by ME on the sofa. No body worries about where daddys sitting, but who gets to sit by MOMMY. You are her support system during the week. She may feel that he's "taking you away" from her for some reason or other.
When he is there plan out 30 min or so that its just you and her time. Make it story time. Hubby wrangles baby... You and her. I know on weekends I try to soak up as much hubby time as I can get, and he's here thru the week... It could be that she's just feeling left out...

Just stop doing it for her. She's old enough to know the difference, obviously, because she's playing you like crazy! LOL I bet one time of walking out the door without her and she'll begin to get a very clear picture. But don't be afraid to express disappointment with her regression. While you are helping her with her coat, tell her "It's too bad you aren't old enough to do this yourself, because I thought you were almost old enough for a _____" (fill in the blank with something she has wanted). I have found that *sometimes* its beneficial to play my kids games right back to them and let them initiate the behavior change.

~L.

Sounds like she wants/needs attention. Let her know during the week that when Daddy gets home, he is going to make her lunch, help get her dressed, etc. Try and prepare her. Start with Daddy helping her with one thing, then praise her for being good. If she starts to have a meltdown, you and Daddy need to walk away from her. She needs to know tantrums are not acceptable and will not get her the attention she wants. Good luck!

First of all I want to mention that I love the way you explain your stepkids... that is beautiful!

Ok, my husband works some really long hours, 5 to 6 days a week with his business and work. So we have learned that for our daughter to want to spend time with him I need to remind her that he is thinking of her and he needs to call her to check in and tell her about his day and how much he loves her. When he is home I try to leave at least once a week so they get some one on one time... or have them go and do an errand together (library, store, gas station whatever, just time together)

Change is hard on all of us and having someone you love not be with you all the time is hard on you and your daughter.
She probably doesn't understand why he isn't with her, on the upside, my daughter LOVES her calls from her Daddy :)

L.
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