One of the things I feared most about taking over the full time care of the children, has happened.
Our youngest daughter who’s just turned two has found big love for her Daddy.
Picture: Alicia blmurch
In some ways I’m ecstatic about it because it’s probably the nearest I’ll get to feeling the bond between mother and baby.
But in other ways I feel crushed because of what my wife must feel.
My daughter and I were enjoying some rough and tumble on the floor the other day and she just grabbed my head with both hands and looked deep into my eyes for what seemed like minutes. Her big smiling eyes were staring into my soul and I just melted.
There was something different about this look she gave me. It was a look I haven’t seen from either of my boys or my eldest daughter.
It’s not the only sign though.
If she cries and wants comforting she comes to me, rejecting mummy on the way.
During our evening quiet time, she has to be attached to me like a limpet.
At bedtime she kicks up a real fuss if I’m not the one tucking her in.
And when she wakes at night she calls for Daddy.
All of which makes me feel like I’m rubbing my wife’s nose in it, when of course I’m not.
My wife has obviously given this some prior thought because she said she was expecting it.
Even so, sometimes I still catch a glimpse of hurt on her face as the child she carried for 9 months and nursed so lovingly shuns her in favour of me.
I love the Daddy Love, it’s very special, but now I’ve had the most fleeting insight into the love between a mother and child, I know how painful it must be for my wife.
I hope my wife isn’t heart broken…
…and I hope that she regains the top spot in our daughter’s heart very soon.
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