Is there somebody else your child seeks comfort from?
I've been questioning my ability to be a good mother lately. Mine are 2 and almost 4. I feel that I'm doing my best for my kids, I might be a bit hard on them sometimes, like I wouldn't be an advocate for "gentle parenting" but I do give them love and empathy when they're upset. I have all the patience in the world for their tantrums and my partner and others will testify to that. However, when my partner or my own mother are an option instead of me, they'll call them and run to them instead of me for comforting. They do respond differently from me to their cries, but they also are very different from each other. My mother responds by emphasizing what they're crying about and practically crying with them, which my partner is very critical of. My partner on the other hand will say nothing but just pick them up and hug them then quickly redirect them. I try that method, but they only come to me if their dad or my mother isn't there.
Does anybody else's kids do this? Can anybody advise what I might be doing wrong?? I feel like my kids don't feel like I'm safe enough for them