Dad admits to feeling jealous of his wife and child... until the day something pretty special happens

As a mum, it's clear that there are times when your child will love you more than their other parent and vice versa. And while it feels really nice when all they want is you, it can be a little tough when you don't get a look in.

Something that wsa the reality for one dad who for years was relegated to the second in the list after Mummy.

Terence Mentor, who is dad to three-year-old Liam and two-year-old Eli, recently shared a picture of him and his eldest son in a wood.

In the post, Terence talks honestly about his relationship with his youngest son and the relationship his boy has with his mum – but not with his dad.

"Ever since my youngest, Boy2.0, was born, he was totally his mother's child," the dad-of-two wrote. 

"I honestly found their immediate and intense connection beautiful, but even more honestly…it made me jealous.

"It is quite a thing to be a dad who can't comfort his child, who is constantly told "No, I go to Mommy", who never seems to have a real, relational moment with his own son.

"I know, I know. It's silly and childish but the jealousy was real and disheartening."

And while it may seem silly to be jealous of a child's relationship with his other parent, the feelings are real and raw at the time, and it can be tough.

However, as the South African dad recently discovered, this sense of one parent being better than the other doesn't last forever. 

In fact, as Terence was happy to discover, things do start to change – something that made him feel both delighted and ashamed.

"Something started to change over last few months. Boy2.0 started not just being okay being with me, but occasionally would actually choose me over Mommy!

"Maybe this shouldn't have made me as happy as it did.

"Anyway, this trend has continued – and then last night, while he was asleep on his mother's chest (the only place he has always found comfort for the last two years), he got up and, still asleep, cuddled into me.

"This child, who would cry when I so much as looked his way, came to me for his comfort and calm."

Admitting that the small action made him well up, the dad continued: "Is there a lesson here? Yeah – being a dad is hard, but every bit of emotional and physically energy that you use can be repaid to you in an instant.

"So maybe you are a parent going through what I have been going through. Keep going. Keep pushing. It will be worth it.

"And while you are going through the struggle, remember that you have a community of friends right here who are ready to support you!"

We're sure there are plenty of parents who will be able to relate to this. 

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