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Have you come home to your little one just to be completely ignored by them? Do they sit at the window waiting for your partner to get home even when you’re trying to engage with them? Are you the one who has to do all the diaper changes because they refuse to be handled by your spouse even if they were a hands-on parent since day 1? Well, rest assured that you are not the only ones. Many parents experience this random shift in their toddlers. One day they wake up and decide that they only prefer one parent while neglecting the other. And although this can sting, they don’t mean to make you feel bad. It’s just a phase they go through. Maybe it’s because they see more of them or maybe it’s simply because they prefer their disciple style. Whatever the reason may be, this one-sided attachment can’t go on forever. And you must find a way to rectify the situation before this behavior sticks. So, if you’d like some tips on how to get your child to stop preferring one parent over another, this is the article for you. Read on to know more!
1. Don’t Give In To Your Toddlers Demands
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Your tiny tot may be five, but chances are that they’ve got you wrapped around their pinky. It’s perfectly fine to humor your baby every now and again. But giving into their demands when it comes to important matters will only lead to the situation getting worse. The best thing you can do to prevent your child from favoring one parent is to nip this behavior in the bud.
The second they put up a fight because they don’t want you to be the one to change their diaper, it’s time for you and your partner to stand as a united front and lay down the law. Giving into your toddlers demands will only reinforce the belief that only one of you is allowed to carry them or handle them. And they’ll also learn that their parents will give in if they throw enough of a fit. The more you get involved, the less likely that your toddler will throw a tantrum. They will start to see you as trustworthy and soon the favoritism will disappear.
2. Avoid Punishing Your Toddler For Having These Feelings
Being stern with your toddler and punishing them for something they have no control over are two very different things. Your child may simply prefer one of you due to all the developmental changes they are going through. Don’t discourage them or make them feel guilty for something they are doing unintentionally. For example, don’t take away their favorite toy simply because they want to go to the park with you and not your partner. Instead explain that you’re busy and that your partner is going to spend time with them in the park. It’s okay if they are sad about the news, as long as they accept it. Acknowledging their emotions will ensure that they work through them and form a deep connection with both parents.
3. Encourage Regular Time With The Neglected Parent
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You and your partner need to work as a team to come up with ways to get some one-on -one time with your toddler so that they are aware that both of you are capable of taking care of them. Oftentimes, one parent is entrusted with the primary responsibility of caring for the kids while the other one barely gets to see them due to a packed schedule. But it’s important to pick a specific time to bond with your baby. Maybe your partner handles breakfast in the morning while you leave early for much. Or maybe they can be the one responsible for your toddler’s night time routine. This will send the message that both parents are willing to make time for your little one. And having a routine and ritual will help them warm up to the neglected parent over time. The most important thing for them to realize is that the neglected parent is helping out and is actively engaging them.
4. Stay In The Background
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When you know every little thing about your toddler, it’s hard to let someone else take the wheel and figure it out for a while. But that’s exactly what you need to do if you don’t want your baby neglecting your partner. Sure they might mess up now and then, but that’s how they learn about their child and how the child learns to have experiences with them. Don’t undermine your partner’s capability to take care of your toddler in front of them. Instead, stay in the background and let them figure things out together.
Taking care of your toddler can be exhausting, especially if you’re doing it all alone. But it can also be hard to ask your partner for help if your little one refuses to cooperate. This is why it’s important for your child to stop picking favorites and respond to both parents positively.
Stop Your Toddler Preferring One Parent
Watch this video to learn proven strategies to curb your toddler’s one-parent preference, foster equal bonding, and build lasting trust with both mom and dad. Dive in now!
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