Kids
Worried That Your Child Prefers Their Yaya More? You Aren’t Alone
It doesn’t matter if you’re a working mom or a stay-at-home mom (or both) — if there’s another woman in your child’s life, you’re bound to feel a little jealous. Here’s how to deal…
If you’re a mom who’s opted to get some extra help with the kids, we totally get it. Whether it’s because you’re working, or are just plain overwhelmed with running the household, having someone you can count on — a yaya —could make all the difference. But what happens when your child says they’d rather go to yaya instead of you?
Worrying that your child prefers their yaya more isn’t unusual
Every time our kids say “I want yaya” or cry for their yaya feels like our hearts are breaking a little. After carrying them in our wombs for nine months, breastfeeding, worrying about them — they have the actual gall to say they prefer someone else? Arrrgh! How dare they?
But here’s the thing: it’s completely normal.
Why do they want to hurt us so much?
They don’t really mean to — but if they’re spending the majority of your waking hours with their yaya, it’s only natural for them to develop a bond. And you should consider yourself lucky that your child feels so strongly about someone else. After all, it probably means they’re doing something right. Imagine if your child screamed or ran away every time they had to be left along with their yaya?
Don’t think of your yaya as competition
Instead, think of your yaya as your partner in raising your kids. You both need each other — you need her to help you take care of your child and she needs to you to tell her what needs to be done. Talk to her more about your child, and you’ll see how much she has to share! Remember, your yaya‘s care could never compete with yours — it just complements it!
Have your own special bonding moments
Yes, it hurts when you hear that your child prefers their yaya, but it doesn’t mean that you should give up and skip out on parenting altogether. Perhaps you could take charge of reading to them bedtime or just PLAY with them whenever you have the chance.
Still getting that little niggling feeling of jealousy? Always remember that no matter what happens, you’ll always be number one to your child. They’ll always love you no matter what — or who —comes into their lives.
You’ll always be their mom, and nothing can ever change that.
