Daddy's Feelings Are Hurt...

We're going through the same thing right now. My daughter is almost 2 1/2, and constantly says "Go away, Daddy!" And I know it hurts his feelings as well. We've explained to her that it hurts Daddy's feelings. However, at 2 1/2, kids aren't the greatest with empathy. But I'm sure it's just a phase. I told my husband that soon enough she'd want nothing to do with me and would be Daddy's Little Girl. Good luck with baby #2!

When my third child was born, my husband was starting his own business and was working very long hours. My son saw his dad very rarely and had a really hard time allowing his dad to interact with him. My son only wanted me. However, I already had a couple of older kiddos and had an idea of what might work. I just stepped away when my husband was around and let dad take care of the baby. I'd even leave the house for some much needed "me time" and leave dad with the kids. Sure enough, my little guy began to have a much better relationship with his dad and everybody was happier.

This is fairly typical behavior for 2 year olds. It's not called the "terrible twos" for nothing!

L.,
haylee is 4 now and we went through this from 2-3. It was so hard on Josh, all of a sudden she did not want him anywhere near her. Everything has to be Mommy (and that gets old for us mommies too) Josh finally got to the point where he would get mad because I thought I was convincing her that Mommy was the best and daddy was not. Of course this was not the case. It is very normal, just make sure that you enforce time with Daddy. There should always be one chore that is Daddy's alone, whether that is the bedtime story or the morning routine, she needs to realize that she is just as dependent on Daddy as she is Mommy. Within the next 24 months the tables are going to turn and she is going to be Daddy's girl. (Josh always said this and i never believed, he was right) I am not even allowed to comb her hair because "Daddy does it better." And so on and so on, everything is Daddy. Tell your hubby to stick in there and don't give up, enforce a DAILY activity that is for him and her only, you don't even need to be in the room. Good luck.

L.,

I am sorry to hear you are having that issue. I can't imagine how tough that must be on your hubby. You mentioned though, baby #2 being due in March and that your daughter has been doing this for two months now. Did her starting to act this way coincide with her being told about a new arrival? Just a guess here, but maybe that has something to do with it. She might just want to compete with the baby for mommy's attention. Or it could have nothing to do with it. Typically little girl's will become the cliche'..."daddy's girls" around 6-9 years old. Typically that doesn't include the type of rejection you guy's are seeing though. Have you tried to sit her down and ank her why she is acting this way? I don't know how talkative your 2 year old is, but ours can easily understand and explain most things to us that he is feeling. If that doesn't work...maybe a daddy and her shopping day? I know it is not right really, but maybe if he takes her out for ice cream and a much wanted toy ,etc she'll open up a bit??? If those all fail, I would see a counselor...a lot of times they can uncover what isn't on the surface.

Don't worry it is definelty a phase. Our son when he was about 2 did the exact same thing. He would say "Go away Daddy" especially at night time when we did our story reading. He wanted only me. It really hurt my husbands feelings, but now our son is 4 and Daddy is it!!!! The second my husband walks in the door, he is stuck to him. It seems to be a phase. Tell your husband to be patient soon she will be a "Daddy's Girl".

Hi L.,

My daughter is 3.5 and has always preferred me over her daddy, too. Same situation - he is an awesome father who just adores her and is really good with her. DD has gone through several phases of only wanting me and scream like she is being burned when my husband tries to pick her up. It also used to hurt his feelings when she did this. Im not sure why she acts this way - I know she has never hurt or anything inappropriate has ever happened. What we have done that has really worked is set aside some time on occasion for Daddy and Daughter to hang out - baseball game, trip to the park, shopping...sometimes even just having him get her ready for bed. The important thing is Im no where to be seen. She forgets about me and re-establishes a relationship with Daddy.

I hope this helps. I know how frustrating it can be. Good luck!
A.

I agree with the others' thoughts. Make special time for just her and Daddy where Mommy is not around. It is sometimes as simple as Daddy going to pick up a few things at the store for you and taking her with him, or a lunch date to McDonalds etc, or let him take her outside in the evening to ride her bike while you get some of your things done. My daughter did the same thing and when my son was born last summer she became a Daddy's girl because I had to devote so much time to the new baby. Now my 14 month old is the same way, a real Mommys boy. Maybe the same will happen for you.

We had a similar situation when our daughter was about 18-20 months. We just didn't give into her screams, and eventually she gave it up and realized that Daddy was pretty fun. I think the kids just get really attached to the one that's there all the time and eventually it will settle out.