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DD is 22 months and has a total preference for DH. If he is not home DD is fine but the second he walks through the door she won't let me do anything without a fight. For the most part we are just trying to ride it out. If we are both home and free I don't see the point in battling over it. I'm not sure what we'll do if it becomes an issue even when DH isn't home...

LO1 did this around 26 months when LO2 was born. I had to do EVERYTHING if I was home. If I wasn't around she was just fine with DH. It lasted 5-6 months and now she still usually prefers me, but is ok with DH unless she is sick or super tired.

Oh this was my oldest. It was a very rough year or two for us because she did this. We actually went to a psychologist because we didn't know what the hell to do in that situation (among other ones). Eventually it went away, but we had to be consistent and let her know that she may not like me at the time, but she still had to do what I asked (or I would do it). I had to take the emotion out of it... which was really, really hard.

HUGS!!

My son treats my husband like a home intruder sometimes when he comes in his room. Just screams and yells like crazy. Other times they are best buds so they do get bonding time but I think it sometimes hurts Dad's feelings. It makes me overwhelmed sometimes when I can't get a break, especially when he's worked up he's even more tiring. I'm pregnant so sometimes I don't feel good or he wants to be picked up and I can't do it.

I'm in a similar situation right now with my LOs and DH. Both boys prefer DH over me because I've been away for work recently. My youngest used to prefer me, but now that he's had time with DH, he always wants to be held by him.

It does hurt sometimes, but you have to keep that inward and speak calmly to him when his outburst occur. Validating him, but also letting him know that he's hurting your feelings has worked really well for me with my older son. I let him know that I understand he's upset that daddy left and he really wanted to see him, but it hurts mommy's feelings that he doesn't enjoy his time with me. I tell him how much I love spending time with him and we have to take turns, like sharing. It doesn't always work, but sometimes it does. The calmer I am in dealing with the situation, the more responsive he is about it and comes around sooner. He's starting to be a little nicer about it...being more sad than throwing a fit...and it's making things easier for us.

Lots of hugs, as I know it's really hard not being the favorite parent...especially when you're mom.

That's how my son treats DH DH thought the solution is to force him to listen when he's refusing to do certain routines with him, but we've both realized that's not a good idea and only makes our life harder. But every opportunity we get, we offer that DH would do something (read to him, help him with dinner, etc) and if DS doesn't flip out, I get out of the way and let them do stuff together.

I really don't know if it's going to help in the long term, but I hope so.