Mommy, Thy Name Is Mud

Every once in awhile, a question appears in one of the magazines I read that goes something like this: My child seems to prefer my spouse over me. I'm hurt and confused. What can I do? The answer is always along the lines of Most kids go through a stage, or two or three, where they seem to prefer one parent over the other. Don't take it personally, and enjoy the free time while it lasts!

Johnny and I are best buds. Until John comes home, and then I'm supposed to go sit in the corner.

The other day, Johnny was sitting on the couch with John and I entered the room. "Go in the kitchen, Mommy!" I wasn't even allowed to be there. So I did the dishes instead.

Then, at bedtime, John went to grab the current book we are reading, and I sat next to Johnny on the bed. "No Mom, don't sit there! Daddy is going to sit there! That's DAD'S seat!" When John came back with the book, I offered to read the story, and Johnny told me, "Don't talk, Mom."

I'm so far down on the totem pole, he doesn't even want me there while he gets his bedtime story.

Rather than being hurt, I go away and spend some one on one time with Maureen, or catch up on chores or just sit and read a book. Besides, as soon as he falls down, or it's actually time to get into bed and go to sleep, he'll be running to me instead of John.