DISQUS

simplyChuck · 1 year ago

This is definitely normal and you shouldn't be taking it personally. Kids are fickle. This comment could stop at the last sentence but sometimes it helps to understand why they are fickle. They could have just had a good day with mom or afternoon, or outing, or moment.. what have you. Much of this has to do with them exercising their independence. It's not a big deal.

There are many an evening when one or the other of my smaller kids want little to do with me at bedtime. I'm cool with that. A quick kiss and wish good night and I'm off to do dishes or something. Half the time mom comes out after story time to let me know the kid would like to give me another kiss goodnight and have me tuck them in. I may not be in for the main event every time but the encore works just fine for me.

Tinch72 · 1 year ago

SimplyChuck
thanks for the comment, your view is great. I actually do a lot of the
cleanup, packing lunches, etc while my wife puts the kids to bed. the
part that isn't easy is that she sometimes wants a night off and do the
house chores. I can see her side. This then puts me between a rock and
a hard place. When the kids ask me to stay with them I most certainly do!

simplyChuck · 1 year ago

You raise a good point. Mom does need and deserves a break. You can be assured that we have the same issue in our household. If mom wants a break I tell the kids that dad will be getting them ready and putting them to bed. If whining or complaining begins I don't really tolerate it.

They are ushered off and the process begins. We close the door wherever we are (bathroom, bedroom, etc.) so mom doesn't have to listen to the complaining while she is getting some down time. In reality the complaining lasts two minutes, tops. Once they realize I'm serious and Mom isn't going to cave the drama subsides and the evening ends on a good note.

Tinch72 · 1 year ago

thanks again. yes, we have to get better at not caving in to a 4 yr
old's demands! he's good at it. after 8 hours of work (we both work)
making dinner, playing with kids, a bedtime battle isn't fun. We
learned what not to do with our second child. She is much easier at
bedtime. We also have been all sitting down after dinner and reading
books. I tell them to sit on the floor while I read a book, then my wife
might read one. then it's ready for bedtime. that seemed to make
things a little better. The more we do that the better things will get.

Lois · 1 year ago

It is totally normal for kids to gravitate to one parent at certain times. Our boys are now 13 and 15 and definitely gravitate toward the same sex parent as they have entered adolescence. Sometimes they appear to not need a Mommy.
The importatnt thing is you are available for them and they respond to that.

Tyler @ Building Camelot · 1 year ago

My daughter has been in a non-stop mommy mood since Mandy got pregnant. It wasn't a big deal at first, but now it's a pain for my wife since she just wants to rest in the evenings but I'm helpless. Heaven forbid I actually get to read a couple of books and be there to help my daughter fall asleep.

It wasn't always this way. Like you, I used to be the go to guy. But as soon as Mandy got pregnant, Olivia didn't want anything to do with me. I'm looking forward to new baby because she won't have such an opinion of me right away!

Jennifer Hill · 1 year ago

This is definitely the norm! However much my small children gravitate towards Daddy for play time, they run for Mommy for cuddle time, bedtime, "ouchie" time, or any other crying time! Thanks for sharing your story!