It can sting when a child suddenly says, 'I want Mom', or 'I want Dad', especially when the other parent is standing right there. But child psychology suggests that parent preference is usually more complicated than simply liking one parent more. Children can favor different parents at different ages, situations and times of day. They may seek one parent for comfort, another for play, or switch preferences as their needs change. Attachment research suggests that children build meaningful relationships with more than one caregiver, while their behavior can shift depending on whether they are tired, upset, curious or simply looking for a particular kind of interaction.
CHILDREN MAY SEEK THEIR 'COMFORT PARENT'
