You know what? My son seems to favor my partner, Sarah, over me. Yup, he’s definitely a mama’s boy. I get it; it’s totally normal for little ones to bond closely with their mothers. After all, they’ve spent nearly a year inside them and then relied on them for everything afterward. He’s not even two yet, so I’m not too worried he’ll grow up with some creepy fixation—at least not yet.
Still, knowing the developmental reasons behind his preference doesn’t completely shield me from the occasional sting of rejection. It can be a bit disheartening.
But sometimes, not being the favorite parent has its perks. Parenthood is a team effort, and kids thrive when both parents are involved. With toddlers needing constant supervision, it’s crucial to have a partner in crime. Sarah and I are fortunate to share the responsibilities, and we try to keep things balanced.
Our Daily Routine
In our daily routine, we take turns. One day, I’ll wake up with our son, even if he’s wailing for Mommy (which is pretty much every day). The next morning, it’s Sarah’s turn, even if he gives me a pitiful “Daddy” cry that barely puts a dent in my heart. We alternate diaper changes, baths, and bedtime stories. It’s a system that works—mostly.
However, as he grows and learns to express himself better, there are moments when he firmly declares that only one person can brush his teeth or read him a story. And guess what? It’s usually Sarah. When I step in and he reacts with a dramatic backpedal and a scream, it’s, well, not the greatest feeling. Ouch.
The Silver Lining
But here’s the silver lining: You know what feels amazing? Cracking a cold beer while the little one is preoccupied with Mommy. So, if Sarah is the one on tantrum duty at bedtime, I’m all for it. “Oh, Daddy’s not good enough for you? No problem; I’ll just kick back and enjoy a game while you get your story read and teeth brushed.” Maybe I’ll even pop open another beer to drown my bruised pride.
You might think this arrangement would annoy Sarah, and you’d be correct. But we both understand that this phase won’t last forever. There will be nights when only Daddy can soothe him to sleep, and in those moments, Sarah will relish some peaceful time of her own with a glass of wine and a quiet moment—something she desperately deserves after those chaotic evenings.
Navigating the Parenting Rollercoaster
For now, we both navigate this parenting rollercoaster, accepting the highs and lows. Sarah gets extra cuddles that sometimes turn into clinginess, while I enjoy rare moments of downtime that can leave me feeling a bit unwanted. We balance each other out, knowing that soon enough, our little guy will stop playing favorites. Before we know it, he’ll resent us both equally.
So, hang in there! This parenting gig may be filled with ups and downs, but it’s all part of the journey. And if you want to explore more about the world of parenthood, check out our other posts on important topics around home insemination, like those found at CCRM IVF for excellent resources. You can also learn more about at-home insemination kits at Make A Mom.
Summary
Parenting is a joint effort, and while it can sting when your child favors one parent over the other, there are upsides, like enjoying some well-deserved downtime. Understanding that this is a phase and knowing that things will balance out in the future can help ease the hurt.