Why "I Like Daddy Better Than YOU!" is a Good Thing

“I like daddy better than you! He always plays with me!”

Soul crushing right?

But it’s okay. Because I know in this movie of life, I’m the producer, I’m the director, I’m the writer, I’m the behind the scenes.

I’m the one tidying up the toys while you are wrestled with.

I’m grating up the veggies and hiding them in your spaghetti to make sure you get your good food intake when you’re being tickled.

I’m washing the clothes you’re wearing when you get paint on them from the play area I set up, and while you create your masterpiece, I wonder over to wash the dishes from the breakfast I made for you.

I make sure all your appointments are up to date, even when I forget my own. I’m on the phone organising you to play the sport game you like this week, or get you the special boots you need to play.

I’m the up till 3am making you the LEGO house you asked for. Hiding Christmas presents and Easter eggs and elves on shelves. Finding your favourite t shirt that you want to wear the next day.

I know your likes and your dislikes, what triggers you, what makes you upset and what makes you smile.

I set the scene for you every day.

I might not always be fun, but I give my all to make your life a blast. You might not see me doing all the behind the scenes stuff, all the things I do that will go unnoticed, but I’ll do them for you anyway.

You are the star of my movie now, you are my leading actor and actresses, You might not see it now, but one day you will, that I have and I will always, promise to make your life picture perfect.

To all the behind the scenes mothers, the directors of tantrums, the writers of the day, the producers of life, you are doing an amazing job.

This post originally appeared on Laura Mazza, Mum on the Run.

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22 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 12 Jan 2023
    11:07 am
And when they say things like that you just say “yes…you are a lucky boy to have such a good and fun Daddy”

- - LuckyMum said
  - 04 Feb 2019
    10:43 pm
Very true .. but I’m sure there’s love enough to go around for both mummy and daddy

- - ella12 said
  - 24 Dec 2018
    8:07 am
I recently got told ‘I love you the best Mummy because you are my special girl’. Bliss. My feelings exactly back to my daughter.

- - tessie said
  - 18 Dec 2018
    10:39 am
What a lovely way of saying what we are mostly thinking

- - rovermum said
  - 17 Dec 2018
    9:07 am
Ahhh, this is true in most homes. I used to joke that I could leave the house once hubby arrived home as he as all that my son was intereseted in. We also used to joke about good cop (Dad) and bad cop (me)!!! I had to discipline, and do the hard yards, while Dads get to be fun. We need to break this mould, but also acknowledge the real hard work we do in raising awesome kids.

- - ~Loui~ said
  - 15 Dec 2018
    3:48 am
Thank-you for such a gorgeous article. It rings true and makes me feel a little better

- - Blossom said
  - 14 Dec 2018
    10:31 pm
I’ve noticed there is times when girls go to Mum and the boys to Dad when they need that extra comfort or cuddle. In most cases Dad isn’t home part of the day to stop the kids doing what is wrong and unacceptable. You are the “bad” or “bossy” Mum because of that. Little ones don’t realize you do it because you love them.

- - rnash02 said
  - 14 Dec 2018
    9:03 pm
Happy either way, if the kids are happy.

- - Myrlie said
  - 14 Dec 2018
    8:49 pm
I would be a little upset. Yes I do the background work, but I’m also the one that spends time and plays with our girls the most. I would love Dad to play more, it warms my soul so much to see him spending time with his daughters, but it doesn’t happen enough. So yes it would crush me a bit if she loved Daddy better.

- - Ellen said
  - 14 Dec 2018
    7:51 am
So true !

- - mom101628 said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    10:41 pm
It’s so wonderful when they say they like their daddy best – means he has been spending time with them and they appreciate it.

- - ashna9 said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    9:08 pm
Yes I do everything else so enjoy your play time with Daddy..lol.

- - MuthaNita said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    5:13 pm
I love this. I never realised all these things my mum did for me until I had kids of my own.

- - mom206279 said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    5:10 pm
Today I’ve been peed on and spewed on by my sick 5 year old. Right after he chucked he looked up at me and slurred “I just love you so much mummy”. Like a small drunk person. Its ok baby. One day you won’t have anyone who spends the whole day giving you cuddles when you feel like rubbish. So its my honor to be here for you now.

Daddy will bring me maccas for dinner when he finishes work because I haven’t had a chance to eat anything all day and I swear its going to taste better than any home cooked meal.

Daddies are awesome but mums make the world keep turning.

- - mom265671 said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    4:54 pm
I relate to this sooo much

- - littlehandsofmine said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    4:28 pm
That’s ok, as long as my little one still loves me

- - MrsMcD said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    4:10 pm
I remember when my first daughter was little she said to me “daddy is my best person”. I thought it was the sweetest thing ever. I love that she loves her father so much. Daddy does play with them more than I do because I am doing the everyday things that need to be done but she also just clicks with him more than me (she still adores her mumma). My little one clicks with me more than her father but still adores him too.

- - BellaB said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    3:30 pm
Actually it’s not entirely positive to be that self sacrificing. A bit of balance is good.

- - mom112217 said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    2:02 pm
Growing up we all had a favourite parent!

- - becstalou said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    1:40 pm
Love this Mums take you don’t need to be popular when you’re doing your best.