Finally, My Daddy's Girl

Damn. Kids are quick learners. Sure it takes some repetition – like reading the same book for 4 weeks in a row at every bedtime. But, now, my 2 year old can “read” her own bedtime stories.

But even better is how they figure out who will give them what they want. And as you might have guessed, that person is NOT me, because dear old daddy pants is the softie in the house or more like the “clueless-I-don’t-know-what-the-heck-I’m-doing-so-I-let-her-do-
whatever-takes-the-least-amount-of-energy” parent.

And so, since I won’t rock her to sleep any more, she asks for Daddy at bedtime. Fine. He suffered from breastfeeding envy (or more like attention deprivation) and loves that she asks for him over me. Whatevah.

But even better, when she wakes up at 11pm now after just a few hours of sweet slumber she screams for Daddy – and daddy only. No mommy, mama, or mom. Just daddy. Or otherwise known as “the-one-who-will-put-her-in-our-bed-or-rock-her-back-
to-sleep-and-offer-her-ice-cream-at-2am.” Okay, maybe not the ice-cream, but he might as well offer it to her. I mean really.

Oh, and do not tell him what to do in front of her. It (and I quote) “undermines his authority.” Ha.

So guess what I did when she was throwing a full on tantrum tonight when he was trying to leave while I laid in the bed in her room (after he put her in OUR bed when she woke up)?

I LEFT.

Yep. He chastised me for telling him to not say anything and just put her in the bed in front of her. Because him holding her and telling her he has to brush his teeth and that she did it too earlier and BLA BLA BLA works very well in getting her back in her bed.

And so I walked right out.

You handle it CHAMPY.

Because heck. I put her to bed every night for her first year of life. EVERY NIGHT. And I still put her to bed most nights and go in there on most nights and sleep in her room on most nights.

So, she can call daddy all she wants. It doesn’t bother me ONE BIT.

And I will enjoy the new “Daddy’s Little Girl” thing that’s happening. Because we all know the title that will soon be following:

"Mom’s Always Right and She Told You So You”

Comments

[mothergoosemouse]

I love it. As much as I not-so-secretly dig the attention, I was also a bit relieved when the tables turned.

Enjoy it. Especially the extra sleep.

[Jaime]

HAHAHAHAHA! My little one is Daddy's little girl too. Boy was she surprised when he finally came around to my way of thinking and put her on the Naughty Step a few weeks ago!! Now, she still knows that Daddy is the fun one and Mommy is the one who makes her take naps and the one most often making her pick up her toys. But thats okay....because when Daddy has to handle a tantrum from an over tired toddler, Mommy can sit back and quietly chuckle to herself!!! :)

[Melissa]

Good for you. Enjoy it while it lasts. Because in a few days, he will gladly do whatever you want and think is right. And then you can say my favorite three words, I told you so.

[NoNonsense]

Kristen I what exactly what you are experiencing. My girls are only 8-1/2 months but they are already daddy little girls. When I put them in bed and they are crying, if the hear him or see him walk pass the door they cry even louder knowing that he will come to get them. Funny thing though when he wants some "grown-up attention" from me it's okay to let them cry themselves to sleep. Go figure.

[Sheri]

i say enjoy it, kristen. my husband does bedtime every night and baths every other night. it's their thing, and i love it! of course, keep on thinking you're right too--cause we all know you are.