Extreme Preferred Parent Reactions

My daughter has always preferred me, but it’s really getting out of hand. I’m sure it hurts my husband’s feelings, and I have no idea what to do about it.

My husband and I have equal time spent with our daughter. Some mornings I take her to daycare, some he does. Some days I pick her up, some he does. We both see her in the evenings, and we spend weekends together as a family. He may even see her more than I do because I typically cook dinner.

She wants me for comfort and for play. If I’m home, she will not be with anyone else. She’ll cry at baby gates until I hold her. She cries in her crib until I hold her. If I’m in the kitchen working, she’ll push on my legs so I have to turn to face her, and she’ll hold her arms up and ask to be lifted (I don’t often pick her up…and she melts down on the floor). If I’m holding her, and I try to give her to her dad, she locks her hands around my neck and tucks up her legs so she can’t be grabbed. She also cries hysterically and reaches for me until she’s distracted. There have been times that she’ll be sobbing in her high chair while I sit right next to her, and she will not stop crying or even try to eat until she’s on my lap. I’m the only thing that comforts her.

He does put her to bed at night. I feel like that’s the only time they get together unless I leave the house.

I really don’t know why she seems to have attachment issues. I didn’t breastfeed. I’m a working mom. My husband and I share the role of primary parent. If anything, he is nicer and more patient. He’s a great dad. I’m just not sure what to do next.