Harvynna's Oedipal phase

It's very normal for a young child to express preference for one parent or primary caretaker. There is a normal developmental stage called the oedipal phase, which usually occurs between the ages of three and five, when children exhibit a dramatic preference and attachment to the opposite sex parent and show considerable hostility to the same sex parent.

That's whats happenning to Harvynna now. She clearly shows a preference to her daddy and is constantly fighting with me and can drive me up the wall at times. She is very smart and knows how to get a way and when to be nice to me, as I am normally the one to buy her stuff and take her places. That's when she will give me that million dollar smile and say, 'Mummy - I like you'

However, the moment daddy comes home, she starts this war against me. She blames me if anything goes wrong and gives all credit to daddy.

Me: who bought you your Dora's dollhouse?

harvynna: Daddy! (ya, right)

Me: Who buys you all your nice clothes?

Harvynna: daddy

Me: What does mummy buy you?

Harvynna: Nothing!

Harvynna: daddy - you bought me my dora dollhouse, right (with that grin on her face)

At night, when I bring her to her room - after reading her her books, she will start whining: I want to go to daddy. I want daddy.

Me: Why ?

Harvynna: I love daddy

Me: What about mummy?

Harvyyna: mm

Me: Mummy?

Harvyyna: mm

Then she runs out of the room to join daddy.

The other day, I hit her because she threw this toy plastic elephant and it hit my head, missing Rowena by inches. She wailed and ran to complain to daddy - 'mummy beat me! Accidently hit only'

Sometimes, if she is in the mood, she will ask me to leave the room. 'Only daddy, Rowena and Harvynna can sleep here - mummy you go to the other room! 'Then she starts kicking me.

Gosh - sometimes, I just scream at her like there's no tomorrow!