The father daughter bond – mums are never going to get a look in

In recent times, we've seen more and more stories about children – usually young girls - writing letters to their father’s bosses, begging them to let Daddy off early so that he can spend time at home with them. There was the girl who wrote this sweet note to Google or more recently, the six-year-old girl who wrote to Southern Rail asking them to get her Daddy home on time to tuck her in at night.

 

And while these stories made most of us choke up or even shed a tear or three because they're just too cute, it’s hard not to reflect on why we don't see notes like this written to a mum’s boss...

 

After a little thought, the answer is actually pretty simple: all girls are daddy’s girl and while they appreciate the things us mums do (at least that's what I tell myself), there is just something special about Daddy.

 

Even when little girls grow up to become big girls, the special bond that they have formed with their dad will be just as strong as it was when they were six-years-old. On the other hand, your relationship with them might grow a little strained as you both manoeuvre your way through the teenage years.

 

For now at least, us mums will be continually regulated to the back of the line; when it comes to wanting to do something fun with Mum or Dad, Dad always trumps. Well in our house anyway.

 

No matter how fast you rush home to be with your children – barely getting your coat on before you head out the office door and silently praying for green lights all the way – in our house she will always get excited when we pull up and see Daddy’s car in the drive. She hides when I go to get her.

 

And no matter how much we may strive for their attention, we would certainly never come between girls and their dads – not that they would let us anyway. Though we may moan that Daddy is their favourite, it’s hard for your heart not to swell with absolute joy when you see a grown man sitting down doing your little one’s hair.

 

But we shouldn't feel too sorry for ourselves, we have a special bond with them as well. While they may hide when you go to collect them or ask for Daddy instead, you are still their mum and they will come to you when they are good and ready, or usually if they are hungry.

 

Mary Byrne is a staff writer at MummyPages and mum to a horse-crazy, sports-mad, seven-year-old girl.