Is it just a stage that my daughter say "I don't want mommy" everyday

[marthawashington]

It's been a couple months now that my daughter says, "I don't want mommy," at least once a day and not at a time when I'm asking her to do anything she doesn't like.  At first, I just blew it off because it was near bed time and my husband usually puts her to sleep because I work nights.  But, now she seems to say it more and not just at night.  We have a close bond (I see her most of the daylight hours) but I just wonder if it's normal because I don't hear other mom's mention it happens to them.  My husband treats me respectfully too so I don't think she's picking up any bad energy there.  And, she never has said "I don't want daddy."  Not like it's a competition.  I just want to know what's going on.  Does anyone have experience with this?

[Courtney-Ostaff]

I think it's probably that she doesn't know how to say "I miss Daddy" 

[sleepingbeauty]

A little background to make my answer as clear as possible: I had the girls in my sig full-time unofficially (without paperwork) since they were 3-ish months (W) and 2 weeks (Z).  Their father took off early and their mother up and left one day.  Their grandparents now have full custody and have for the past year or so.  Of course, we're still a HUGE part of their lives.

My answer:  The girls sort of did what you're describing.  Especially Z.  Obviously, they know us and are comfortable with us (we had to have "I'm not mama, I'm Kris." convos fairly often...poor things... T^T) but sometimes Z just wanted Ta-Ta (grandpa).  She would push away from me and my other friend (also around since the beginning) and yell "Taaaa-taaaaa".  It hurt for a while but then I realized she just didn't know how to say "I miss Ta-ta."

TLDR-- It's normal.  I'e seen other children do this.  They just don't have the words they are looking for yet.  Don't worry. 

[marthawashington]

thanks for the replies.  that makes sense about not being able to say "I miss Daddy."