DD won't let daddy do anything.

naburr

 Posted this on the 24+ months board too.  Just looking for words of wisdom--someone to tell me this will get better.

 For about the past 6-8 months, my 2.5 yo DD won't let her dad do anything.  She cries if he tries to help her get dressed, eat meals, etc.  It started out as just here and there she needed mommy to do it, but now it seems to be everything.  If I'm not around, like when I work on a Saturday, she's fine to let him do it.  But if I'm there, it's "I don't want daddy."  It's hurtful to him, and it's stressful to me.  It also makes me feel like I can't give time to my 1 year old son. 

 Will she get over this soon?

Any advice would be appreciated. 

howleyshell

We still go thru this from time to time and my youngest is over 3.5!

When possible I try to accommodate him but frankly life is life and sometimes you've got to be darned thankful for the help you're offered, KWIM?

My youngest's biggest one was that he wanted MOMMY to wipe his butt after pooping.

Well.... guess what?  Mommy's fixing dinner.  Daddy can do it or you can sit in there by yourself missing perfectly good play time until Mommy gets a break in what she's in the middle of.  

For us making him wait for me and pointing out what he's missing because he's being stubborn helped.

Then there's the times that DH simply says:  "I'm here and I'm doing it.  If you don't like it, go to your room."

It's a tough line to walk but I think the trick is to not give them the power to choose which parent tends to them 100%.  If they're hungry or tired I take responsibility for the crankiness that comes with that and cut him some slack but if they're fed, well slept and just being difficult we sometimes put our foot down when it makes sense to. 

He doesn't always get to make that decision.  Who ever is not busy is the one who will tend to him because it's what makes the most sense for our entire family in that moment - not just him.

I'll even tell him:  "You NEED Mommy but mommy NEEDS to cook dinner for all of us so Daddy's gonna have to do or you can wait until I'm done cooking."