I'm hurt! My 2-yr old daughter says she only loves her dad :(

Don't take it to heart. Your child is too young to ealize how much those words hurt you, and your child is also too young to know what she was really saying, and what it means. She won't remember it in a few days, and this will all be overwish. Please don't take it personally.

Tell her that you're doing it for her own good. If you explain to her that letting her run amok will only hurt her in the long run (or even in the short term) I'm sure she'll understand.

Hi dear I believe you do your role well. You have said that you have talked about the good cop/bad cop role to your husband. I guess its about time that you insist to your husband to cooperate, unless ofcourse he really like to "spoil" your daughter because he is pleased when she answered that she only loves her daddy. But don't take this too strongl;y huh,coz there's a possibility too that your daughter is just in her "electra complex" stage, wherein the daughter has deeper attachment to the father, but it does not mean that she will be hostile to you soon. Just try to be extra sweet to your daughter and try not to "compete" with her for your husband's attention. kids her age tend to be jealous of everyone even her own mom at times. I think you're a good mother and you have nothing to worry too much about. This stage will soon passed and your daughter will soon have a more deeper attachment with you too. God bless

Its probably just a stage she's going through. When my niece was 2 oe 3 she would often say things like this... especially about her dad. She would seem to think that she could only love one person at a time! It may not even have anything to do with who disciplines her. If you are worried, try to spend some extra quality time with just her... spend a day with her doing some fun things, or even just take her to run errands with you but try to make it fun for her! You'll probably see, when it is jsut the two of you, that she DOES love you and DOES act attached to you. For whatever reason, she is saying "only daddy" now, but that will pass!

I know it hurts a mother. But don't feel bad because children at this age just dont know what they say. They just say that because they feel that person would never hurt them and that they can do just about anything with that person. They show this by telling that. But, they equally love their parents. If you really fee bad and want to change this then you can try this. you be the good cop and let ur husband be the bad cop for a while. Let's see how it works. Good luck

Oh brace yourself, honey. There will be alot worse.Little girls tend to be more abrasive to their mom's as opposed to their dad's. I still remember with clarity the first time my oldest looked at me with such hatred in her eyes and spat out,"i hate you mommy!!!" I was crushed! The teen years make the terrible 2's seem like a walk in the park. I know it is hard but try not to take it to heart. Three of my girls are grown and on their own now.We are all very very close.Even the most rebellious one that excelled in the art of using words as weapons is now very close to me and very remorseful as to how she treated me. Being a parent can be very painful at times and sometimes it doesn't seem to be very rewarding but trust me...you will be rewarded in the end with the very best friend you'll ever find in this world. Big hug for you!

That is so sad. But also I would say talk to your husband about both of you doing the discipline thing with her and see if that helps at all. Also I know with my two kids no matter who did the discipline thing they would go through a stage on only wanting one person or the other person.

Well I don't think the good cop/bad cop is the way to go. I think parents should present a united front when dealing with a child. I wouldn't worry too much about her saying she only loves dad. Children say stuff like that often that they don't mean. I know I did. I would do away with the good cop/bad cop routine at once.

I think girls are more for their dads anyway. I wouldn't take it to heart what she said. She is too young to know better. Besides reminding your husband of your agreement, maybe you could spend more time playing with her so she could see that you are not such a bad mommy. :)

Aww ctv, so sorry to hear that. Understand though that your girl is just a mere 2 years old and too ignorant of what she's saying. The best step that ALL of you should do is to stop asking her "Do you love mommy, grandma or grandpa?" It has somehow became a game for your daughter and she automatically went with it. Instead, keep telling your daughter "Mommy loves you." While disciplining her, never failed to inject the word "love' to her. You can also ask your husband for support regarding this concern.

how do you want your child to be disciplined? on what issues? I suggest you think about what matters to you & how you want your child to grow, talking about these things with your husband so that you and your husband are united with these issues. Playing good cop/bad cop would certainly, in the long run, would make her "not-listen" to you or be disciplined when she grows older. Yes, it is frustrating but your have to be firm with your hubby on certain issues. Also, discipline goes hand in hand with fun-time. You have to spend time with your daughter. If you're working, at least 30 mins everyday either before going to work or after work. Then on weekends, have as much "fun-time" as much as possible. This would allow you to have some "emotional deposits" on your daughter. So that, when "withdrawing" your emotional bank account or disciplining her, you wouldn't have any "over withdrawn" emotional account, thus the words, "i don't like/love you" words. I hope these would help in improving your relationship with your daughter. Have a great day!

ctv sweetheart I know that these words hurt but I sincerely believe she does not realise that she is hurting you! Young children learn to manipulate from being tiny - even before they understand the impact this has on those around us! I wouldn't worry too much about the discipline having too much to do with this - although she probably does realise that she can get away with so much more around Daddy as he is the soft touch! I am the main one responsible for discipline in our household and despite this both my children are mommys little angels! lol Please, please do not take this to heart too much - your daughter does love you and as she grows she will appreciate the fact that you do set rules and boundaries! I wish you luck and joy xxx

Don't let it get you down. I have two kids and I can't even count the number of times my kids, especially my daughter has said that she hated me. I always told her that she doesn't hate me and I know that, but that she is indeed angry with me which is fine. Children, especially very young children, have a problem discerning between what anger and hate feels like and most of the time they are just angry. When your daughter says this to you again, and she will, you can say to her "I love you" or "it's okay to be angry at someone you love". This way she will learn that even if she is mad at you, it doesn't mean she doesn't love and vice versa. She also be feeling that your discipline is a sign that you don't love her or she may be learning to push those emotional buttons. Whatever it is, just know that overall, she loves you unconditionally, even when she is mad or even when she won't like you.

An adult who is "hurt" by the words of a 2 yr old! Really? You must be kidding! I notice you use the word, "discipline" several times in your Post.My dictionary defines "discipline" as "control exercised over people or animals,indoctrinate, control, curb, govern." I didn't see anything about "Love, teaching, tender care, kindness, or nurturing," Your daughter will respond to your teaching. Are you teaching gentleness, love, kindness, and respect? Or is it indoctrination,control,discipline,and fear? '

Girl is for feelings and Boy is the awareness of those feelings. Like Man and Woman. A girl will always try to listen her father and brother. A Boy will always try to teach girls, lessons, if he knows that feelings are powered by him.(in fact feelings are powered by God,you know this). This happens in our day to day life. Thanks

hey gurl, i also experienced the same thing when my son was about 2 yrs old. it really hurts to hear them telling you that they love their dads more than us moms. but what i did i spent more time with him. everytime his dad is not around, i play with him. i really exerted extra effort to make him feel my presence. children would usually love the persons that they feel are the ones who will always spoil them. well, who says kids are brighter than us??? now, he likes to be with me more than anybody else...

I agree with danishcanadian, i guess your daughter is too young to understand and don't be to hurt about it. One day she'll know that you love her so you discipline her. But I suggest you have to talk again with your hubby about this, open your heart to him and say that it hurts you to hear your daughter say those words.Maybe he too can help in explaining to your child about this thing.

Aah my son started saying that he only loves his dad when he was 3. He's outgrown it now but on the odd occasion he will say "I hate you" or "I don't love you mom" and then I would give a sad expression and tell him how much that hurts me. He immediately apologises. Kids say the darndest things and don't understand that by saying these things, it hurts those they say it to. I think everytime your daughter says it, to let her know how much it hurts you. Your husband needs to reinforce it too. She will begin to understand that what she is saying is hurtful to you and it will soon stop. As soon as my husband hears anything like this, he talks to my son and has him apologise to me.

oh honey, I know that stings something awful - your daughter is at an age where she may be trying to manipulate you, she may also be testing your love for her - will mommy still love me no matter what? she may also not quite understand what love is. I really like the idea of the daddy being the one to discipline and the mommy being the one to soothe. but it rarely works out that way especially when daddy is gone at work so many hours.