My 3yo likes my husband more than me

Last night as I was feeding my newborn baby and putting him to sleep while my husband and 3 year old son ate dinner I overhead my son tell me husband “I like you more than mommy” and my husband shocked said what? And he repeated it. It felt like I lost my breath. I have put my entire life into this child. I play with him every free second I have, I cook for him, I pretend play with him, I love him with all of my soul, I tell him how proud I am of him constantly. I always try to remain calm and slow to anger, I try to be fair and hear him out instead of just reacting. I have given my life to this kid. My husband is an amazing father but it just hurt me so much to hear him say that. I know he is young but he just said it without being asked or it even being a topic, it was just what he felt. My husband tried to say it came from a convo they were having in the car where my husband asked if he liked this one friend or the other better. So we have decided to no longer ask those kinds of questions, no more favorites, etc. I know I’m the mother and should just understand but I am literally hurt over it, like I find myself angry and not wanting to put in all this effort if that’s how he feels anyway. This happened last night. I just would love a little advice or input.

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Toddlers have no idea what some of these things mean or have the kind of intention or weight behind it that we as adults would associate it. I’ve felt that knife before but he doesn’t know what he’s saying and he can’t equate anything. It sounds like he’s also adjusting to a new sibling. It’s so hard but try not to dwell on it and he still needs and deserves all your attention and effort ❤️

I believe he loves you both the same way and you should be so lucky and happy to have an amazing father to your child that he will grow to Admire as a masculine figure. He might be jealous of the attention you give to your newborn too but not meaning that. Don’t just take his words seriously. He adores you mama 💗

When I was growing up my mom was a SAHM and my dad worked. There were times we would have said we liked dad more just because he wasn’t around as much and when he was he was always fun and my mom was always very consistent (a great mother) but also the disciplinarian.

I can actually guarantee you that his words were not a true representation of his true emotions towards you. He’s 3. It’s possible at that moment he really enjoyed eating with his dad and it came out as I like you more. You shouldn’t take it to heart. If he was 30 and he said that, that would be different.

Honestly it’s probably just because of the changes with the new baby. Your son definitely loves you as much as he loves his dad. How lucky he is to have TWO amazing parents that love him enough. But yes - it hurts! My son is very attached to his dad even though I did most of the caregiving and playing. I also wonder if it’s a “boys looking up to their male role model” sort of thing, which I also think is so special that he has a good man to look up to.

Thank you all for your input. I haven’t treated him any differently I literally love that kid with my whole being it would be impossible to treat him differently. That’s great point that he was really just enjoying eating with his dad in that moment and that he’s probably having a hard time with how I now need to spend more time with his newborn brother. And I am so incredibly grateful my husband is the best dad I could ask for for my son. He really does deserve all that praise. I guess I’m just sad bc I have no choice but to take care of his brother. I literally had another child so he would have a sibling, but he obviously can’t understand that at this age

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