A mom writes in asking for advice about her husband’s relationship with her daughter from a previous relationship. This mom says her husband adores her daughter, who is almost 11, and does a great job of helping with her and around the house, but he is having trouble connecting beyond that.
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A member of the community asks:
“My husband told me he has trouble connecting with my daughter: Thoughts?
Hi, mammas, I need some advice! My husband of a little over a year just confessed he has a hard time feeling connected to my daughter (from a previous relationship, she’s ten almost 11). It has also been just her and me for several years, and she never really had a father figure in her life. He adores her and treats her like his own, so that’s not the problem. I do 99% of things that involve her activities because of his work schedule; he does help out a ton when he is home. Don’t have a stepparent and don’t really have anyone close that I would be able to go to for advice so I’m hoping any mommies that have the same situation I have might be able to help me out.”
– Mamas Uncut Community Member
Community Advice for The Mom Whose Husband Is Having Trouble Connecting with Her Daughter
To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.
Advice Summary
The community offered this mom in need a lot of great advice. Read some of their responses below.
“I feel that’s normal. I wouldn’t be too worried about it. You could try to get them to spend more one-on-one time together. I’m a person who doesn’t connect easily with people in general, kids adults it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t mean I don’t love them but I just don’t connect(not sure how to explain it).”
“My boyfriend took my daughter on a dinner and movie date, just the 2 of them.”
“They need to go have a fun day together somewhere, just the two of them. Take her somewhere that interests her, or to a movie she would like.”
” I wouldn’t force anything. The “step” dynamic is hard enough. And your daughter just may not be able to let anyone in, like how she lets you in. I wouldn’t worry too much about, after all, they have a lot of time to figure it out.”
“In my opinion, it’s normal. It will take time for a connection and bond. Not something to rush. My stepdaughter and I still have connection issues. She’s lived with us for almost a year. Find something they have in common and go from there.”
“My dad always took me fishing with him when he had the time. We’d play board games and he introduced me to classic rock. Told me all his stories about growing up and just living. He’s without a doubt one of my best friends. Just have him include her when he has time off in whatever he’s doing.”
“My husband does a daughter/daddy date. They go to dinner and a movie and talk. He asked about school and all different kinds of stuff so that he was getting to know his 2 stepdaughters. They do it once a month now. He just needs to do a 1-on-1.”
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