Fathers of daughters

I have two daughters and four year old son. Trust me you will be alright. Both my daughters were like that until around 6 and now they are daddy's little girls. I spend so much time with both of them playing and coaching tennis. And my 10 year old daughter is like my best buddy. It's funny because my 4 year old son is a momma's boy and he does the same thing. I don't love you only mommy. But I know give me some more time and he will be my little guy. No worries. Enjoy the ride

Thanks for the great advice. Recently has started telling me that she doesn't like me. It is tough hearing that from someone you care so much about. I am glad to hear that it is not forever.

Starts pretty early doesn't it ;-)?

Don't take it personally. This is indeed how females act.

Girls are like cats, they come and go as they please. What happens if you chase a cat? It runs away and causes an adverse affect on them returning.

My advice is when she comes back, shower her approbation and praise, then when she leaves let her go, completely. She will begin to miss you and wonder if you still love her and come running back.

This works in older females, even your wife. As you can see, its inherent for some reason, and they never really grow out of it! They may become better but its just in their makeup.

Goodluck, you sound like a great parent.

1. This is normal.

2. Don't let it prevent you from doing your job which is not to become friends with her, but provide structure, teach, coach, and help her become independent. When they run to mommy just ignore, kids are fully aware of your reaction to this, don't overreact.

One cool thing you can do is decide with your wife what the "Daddy" activities are going to be. Find things she really like, they can be your thing and probably produce really fond memories: Baby jogger, sandbox, certain books, etc.

Hotani3210 wrote:

Thanks for the great advice. Recently has started telling me that she doesn't like me. It is tough hearing that from someone you care so much about. I am glad to hear that it is not forever.

She is four, so she has no idea what she is saying, these are things kids say to each other and parents when they are temporarily not getting what they want. It is a four year old version of crying, and it gets more dramatic when they are tweens and teens. You may be "the worst", a dork or get a few doors slammed in your face on the way to getting the great hugs from a mature at some point. Don't sweat it, you have more important stuff to teach her right now.

My 3 year old son does this to my wife. He tells her all the time that he only wants me, not mommy. She takes it well, but I know it hurts her sometimes. Other days they're best buddies and have a great time. We only have 1 kid, so no insight into the boy vs girl aspect.

I agree that all kids go through extreme phases with varying preferences.

My daughter is 18 now but I remember phases of all-mommy, all-daddy, animals are the only thing that matters, I want a brother, fashion is important, basketball is everything, I'm going to got to college with my best friend...

There have been many consistent personality traits, for sure, but as she's matured different things have mattered more than others.

Try running and working a little less if possible and spend some more time with your kids.

Is she an only child?

Yes, she is an only child.

Thanks, everyone for the advice. It is nice having a community where you can ask these kinds of questions and get helpful feedback.

Hotani3210 wrote:

Yes, she is an only child.

Thanks, everyone for the advice. It is nice having a community where you can ask these kinds of questions and get helpful feedback.

And LR is kinda cool too.

Hotani3210 wrote:

Thanks, everyone for the advice. It is nice having a community where you can ask these kinds of questions and get helpful feedback.

Despite her youth and naivety, she is growing to resent your overbearing, sanctimonious guidance.

Went through the same with my daughter and now it even happens with granddaughter at times and she spends the weekends with us. Seems normal just keep being a good dad and it will all work out.

flyyyy wrote:

Don't take it personally. This is indeed how females act.

Girls are like cats, they come and go as they please. What happens if you chase a cat? It runs away and causes an adverse affect on them returning.

My advice is when she comes back, shower her approbation and praise, then when she leaves let her go, completely. She will begin to miss you and wonder if you still love her and come running back.

This works in older females, even your wife. As you can see, its inherent for some reason, and they never really grow out of it! They may become better but its just in their makeup.

Goodluck, you sound like a great parent.

girls are like cats? That's retarded. Just proves LRC is among the worst possible places one can visit for sound NRR advice..

Hotani3210 wrote:

I have a four year old daughter who is a nice, well behaved little girl.

What does that mean, exactly? Please elaborate.

My daughter has never treated me this way.

This is absolutely typical. Do not worry about it. I took care of my daughter, who's now 7, most days until she started pre-k, and we could go all day with no quarrels at all and have a great time going to the library, playground, museums, etc., and she'd often yell and scream around her mother, yet any hint of her mother leaving the house and she'd have a tantrum. And this continues to this day, to some degree. But we still have a great relationship most of the time. You can really add a lot to your daughter's life through your active engagement with her by making up puzzles and talking with her and doing the kinds of things that your wife wouldn't be as inclined to do. And my son is two and he also carries on when his mother leaves or doesn't put him to bed, but otherwise it is pretty different and he's closer to me. Both relationships are great and you just get through the times when the kids talk like that without worrying about it.

Roy D. Mercer wrote:

girls are like cats? That's retarded. Just proves LRC is among the worst possible places one can visit for sound NRR advice..

pretty typical advice from stick