Pushing Her Away

Ever since she started her terrible two's, Scarlett has always been tempermental about who she wants for a particular task. For example, she may only want her dad to change her diaper but she would only want me to put her pants on and comb her hair. The next day, it can be completely different. Well, for a while now, she's always been adamant about having me do her bedtime routine: give her a bath, dress her in her pajamas, read her bedtime stories, and help her brush her teeth. We've tried to switch it up sometimes but she usually has a meltdown when we try to do that so we relent most of the time. It's frustrating because on some days, I just rather rest and have my husband deal with the bedtime routine. I've heard from some mommies that it's quite normal for her age and if at all possible, I should just try and do the routine when she wants me to do it. On nights when I'm not home (for example, when I got out to dinner for Mom's Night Out), she's perfectly fine with my husband doing everything. It's just when we're both around, she insists on me doing most of it.

Well, lately, we've tried to have my husband deal with the routine more frequently and it hasn't been successful. We're hoping that she would get used to having her dad do it so that when the baby comes, she won't resent the baby when I'm preoccupied with feeding him and unavailable to be with her. Since it hasn't been working, we've realized that we'll have to force her to deal with it now (rather than when the baby comes, which may cause her to resent the baby for taking her mommy away). Even though I do enjoy not always being the one to deal with all of her needs, I do feel sad that I have to start pushing her away (towards her dad) in preparation for the baby's arrival. It feels good to be wanted and loved by her but it's definitely better that she feels the same about both of us. Luckily, the weather's not as cold now so I can start by taking a walk around the neighborhood when it's time for her bedtime routine.