My grandson prefers daddy to mummy.

I think this is an overreaction on her part and your job should be to see that she understands this by treating it humourously ....."I don't know, we women work our tripe out and all he wants is Daddy when he comes home!"

It is so common and I have seen this in all 7 GC of mine. The balance of the relationships changes over time and this is something that all children do to some degree or another.

Tell her to enjoy her days with him and hand him over happily to Dad when he comes home.

This really is a storm in a teacup, a fuss over nothing and if you treat it as trivial and just the way life is then she will pick up on that. Sending him to nursery is definitely NOT the answer!

Tell her that this is quite normal.

After all she has him all day and he is 'fine' so stop overthinking this.

Your job is to reassure her that this is normal and tell her just to let her child enjoy his daddy time and not be jealous. Things will even out,

All will pass, and clever little grandson has worked out what upsets his Mum.
Best to absolutely ignore his behaviour, and enjoy the bit of freedom it is giving her.

Tell her to be totally relaxed about it. Nothing stays the same everything changes. Next year she'll be worrying about something else. It's called being a parent tell her!!
At the moment I'm having frantic telephone calls with Dd about what Gs will be doing with regard education, what he eventually wants to do for a living and which A level route he ought to do. Which college to attend etc etc. Oh the joys of grandparenthood!

Crossed posts saying exactly the same thing! You and I seem to be singing off the same song sheet lately LG

My GS is like this, and his Mum does get upset, but she's realised that it's not because he doesn't love her, just that Daddy is better at all the physical play that GS loves. Nothing to worry about, and she's just grateful that GS and Daddy have a great bond.

I can see how your daughter is upset by this but reassure her it will change over time and probably again. Good that Daddy is able to take over, best not to make an issue if this or young as he is your grandson will make the most of this. It's certainly not rejection which is a very emotive word, just normal behaviour. Be happy he likes being with his Daddy.

Normal.
I am not sure why if she knows it is normal, that it upsets her?
Her self esteem and self worth?

But if she knows it is normal, what is the actual problem for her?

I think this is quite normal. Daddy is out all day and they want attention from him when he comes home.

My DGS likes going out with just his his grandad. We were setting off for a walk and he told me to go the other way to which they were. He wanted a boys only outing.

The word "rejected" is pretty strong! - it is inappropriate. All that is happening is that he has had mum all day when a novelty, a bit of a change, has just walked through the door!

You can help her by treating it lightly so that she will be able to mirror that and pick up that it really is not remotely a big deal - in fact it is no deal at all! The fact that you are "really worried" is something she will pick up on and add fuel to the fire.

Can only echo the advice already here. It's definitely usual. Our two did it when small, all the grandchildren have done/are doing it. I wonder if you daughter has friends with children about the same age, or is there one in the wider family that behaves in the same way? Might help her to understand this is developmental, not personal.

As he is perfectly happy with her all day, I don't think it's a major issue but you hint that, aside from this, she is not feeling that brilliant at the moment so possibly this is why it is affecting her so much. It would be a lot worse, I feel, if your grandson had a poor relationship with his dad and didn't interact with him when he returned home.

Has your daughter got some supportive friends who she can meet up with? I think there are a lot of pressures on new mums (or dads) at home. They can become isolated and introspective and lose confidence and it's important to get away from what can seem like an endless round of domestic chores and have a few laughs - and moans - with friends.

Many thanks for all your comments. I have spoken to her about it and said that it is a normal thing for babies. I do think he's a boys boy. But also I know he does love his mummy. My daughter has got self esteem issues and I have great difficulty in trying to convince her she's a great mum. Hopefully though as time goes on things will settle down. I won't let her put him in nursery for a while yet.

Blimey wellington is it your decision whether he goes to nursery or not????!!!

Help your daughter with her self esteem and stand back and allow her to make her own grownup decisions.

He has missed his Dad ! without being rude, what on earth does your Daughter want ? a child who is stuck to her and only her 24 hours a day ? is he not supposed to love his Dad ?

I used to enjoy the bit of peace I got when Daddy came home and took over the child care for a time.
I certainly never felt rejected and was very glad DC had a hands on Dad.
SIL is also very good and as he works long odd hours DGS spends lots of time with him when he is at home.

Oh dear Wellington it's really good you are reassuring her that this is normal. Poor girl does sound as if she has some issues going on. I do agree with Whitewave that you should be encouraging her to make her own decisions. She is a mother now and it's right that she does so

Stay on the sidelines and be there if she asks for your advice. If you don't mind me asking, is she quite a young Mum?

No she's in her 30's Bobby girl. And really I wouldn't stop her putting grandson into nursery but for the right reasons. And I do my best to reassure her. I know I'm probably too involved and should take steps back but it's difficult when she's looking for answers.

Completely normal behaviour from the child, over reaction from the mother.

Your DGS is 1 - how can he possibly be consciously 'rejecting' his mother?
Your daughter should be glad that there is a loving bond between her child and her husband. It sounds to me as though she is dangerously possessive.

Quite normal behaviour and she should be thankful to pass him over to daddy for a break surely!
He hasn't seen daddy all day, they should bith be pleased to see him

Conversation between DS and DGD: are you Daddy's girl or Mummy's girl?
'Daddy'girl!!'
Cue for crocodile tears from mummy, who then gets a hug too.

All a bit of fun with a child who loves both her parents and knows she is loved in return.
Ps sometimes she is 'Grandad's' girl'
Do I feel rejected?

Does your DD have issues with confidence and jealousy?
Of course not!

I loved knowing my son was excited to see his daddy! So was I, after a whole day with only a baby for company!

I don't know what happened with above post, it jumped around and doesn't make sense!

The of course not belongs after do I feel rejected? not after the last sentence!

Glad you emended that jalima, I thought you were being sarcastic

Same here, embo32. With 3 children under 4, I was sometimes counting the minutes by teatime - we'd all have our faces pressed up against the window! Yay, daddy's home, was my cue to put my feet up for a bit, sometimes in a darkened room