Is it normal for a child to prefer one parent over another?

The child will always prefer the parent who favors that child above the other children, and blacksheep children should always be proud that they are the least-liked sibling!

Maybe she’s realised that you’re available most of the time, so (in a manner of speaking) she can be with you whenever, but time with the dad is special and to be enjoyed when it can?
I think it’s normal to cling more to one parent – it certainly was the case for me, but then my dad was a sailor and gone for 3–6 months at the time, so when I was very little, I had time to almost forget him between seeing him – needless to say, I was more comfortable with my stay-at-home mum…

Since parents will prefer one child over another, I find it perfectly natural that children will prefer one parent over another. I have no idea why this favoritism develops. The most favored child, idolized with massive birthday partys and never insulted, usually grows up to be dependent on the parents, where the least favored child becomes independent and successful. The most favored parent, to use the same logic, would be the one most likely to eventually reside in a nursing home, so there seems to be some advantage to not being the favorite. At the very least, you’ll be the one to keep a clear unprejudiced head & make the best decisions for your child’s welfare. This is just the natural way that things are, there will be a reason someday why this all happened.

Children are adults with limited reasoning abilities and no language skills. They act out their likes and dislikes, which can be painful if you’re not in the “likes” category. Right now, daddy is fun while you provide sustenance on a more practical level. It’s not personal.

Everything you have said makes since. She is an only child that we tried 6 years for. We eventually had to resort to invirtro. Being as though I am with her more I tend to be the disciplinarian. It still hurts though, but I’m trying not to take it personally.

First, do not feel bad. This is not uncommon especially at this age. The baby may take you for granted—your presence and security are always there. You may get some comfort from exchanges on this and other parenting issues from The Bekeley Parenting Network (parents.berkeley.edu/).

If you don’t already have one, get one or more early childhood development books. Girl children go through flirting stages and have a special bond with their fathers. This does not make your bond less—just different.

I would wait to see if it continues before deciding it is at problem levels. Also you and your husband should make sure that discipline is a shared duty and play is a shared privilege. You need time with your baby to do fun things not just the necessary chores. Focus on shared smiles and laughter and tiny learning moments that only you and the baby have together and treasure this time.

Take some just you and your husband time. If he’s adoring you, the pain that baby isn’t obviously doing so will lessen.

@ Marina
Thank you.

Kids are like puppydogs, they love the hand that feeds them. Let it be so. I raised 4 kids alone, 2 boys, 2 girls. I am the idol to my girls and a problem solver for the boys. They depend on me for guiadance and all of them are old enough to do what they think is best yet they ask me. Today, I have a puppy that is a year and a half old. I feed it, love it, give it huggs,etc. It comes to me for everything it needs. My woman kinda gets left out of that and the reason is because I am the one that does the most for that puppy. He loves her too but He gets the most of everything from me!! Kids are no differant then puppy dogs. The one that gives the most gets the most in return. They do it with little thought or care. It doesn’t mean that the child doesn’t care. It is just that your man gives a bit more then you do. Don’t worry about it. Most little girls like their Daddy better then Mom but give it time because some things will come up and Dad can’t help there and you will be needed to explain some of the things about life.
As I see it, be glad that your girl loves her Daddy. The kind of love she has, I got from my girls and If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t be alive today. For them, I beat alot of my own faults just so they could be proud of their DAD. That means alot. Hope you can understand what I am saying and enjoy the joy they have.

I don’t know who get’s to decide what’s “normal”. But it is human to have a preference. Just like parents have with their children. You love all your kids, but there’s one out of the bunch that you just take a shinnin to more than the others. Plus, ya know, she’s seen your face all day long, she’s just sharing the love with the one she hasn’t seen all day long. You and her will get over it.