Does anyone else have an EXTREMELY routine DC?

My DD has always done best with routine, but now that she's 2 1/2 it's starting to become an issue. For example, my DH works ALOT of hours, but he's usually home right before bedtime so he'll bathe her and that's their special time. I started mentioning to DH that we should take turns every other night, but he thinks its easier to just keep everything as is.

Well tonight DH got stuck late at a meeting and I tried to bathe her and she FREAKED. She screamed "I want daddy to do it. I don't want you. Don't touch me....etc." Putting aside my hurt feelings - I tried very calming to explain daddy isn't home and I need to do it. No amount of explaining helped. She just screamed and screamed and screamed. When DH finally walked in she grabbed his leg and wouldn't let go.

I'm not sure if its a "routine" thing or that she just isn't getting enough "daddy" time.

This isn't the only thing she fights. Every morning she has to have a cereal bar and juice or she freaks. If I don't read 3 books before bed, freaks. If I don't sing 3 songs before bed, she freaks. If I sat down and thought about it more i could list more examples. Is this normal behavior?

Re: Does anyone else have an EXTREMELY routine DC?

Our DS has a pretty consistent routine. I too have been trying to explaint o DH that we need to trade duties sometimes. I am afraid what happened to you will happen to us.

For example, DH drops DS off at daycare and I pick up. There are rare occasions when DH has to go into work early. On those days,when I drop DS off, he is SUPER clingy and on the verge of tears. He never does that for DH. Not sure if it's b/c of the change or b/c it was not Daddy.

As well, I ALWAYS put DS to bed. Mostly b/c DH is not home, but I've been trying to get him to put DS to bed when he IS home.

I'm no help, but we're in a similar boat.

Re: Does anyone else have an EXTREMELY routine DC?

Yes. And, its so rigid he TELLS me what to do next sometimes - or if I skip something or do something wrong he will correct me DS and I each read him parts of a book. When my part is done if I keep reading he will say "Daddy's Turn" and close the book and give it to him!

Anyway, we have been successful in changing up the routine a bit - it just takes time to establish a new routine.

Re: Does anyone else have an EXTREMELY routine DC?

My DD is the same way. She goes to bed wth 6 blankets and they MUST bein the right order of she gets crazy. She also has so many little things that must be exact I can't even list them all. I spoke to my Dr. about it and she said it s normal for this age.

Re: Does anyone else have an EXTREMELY routine DC?

Me! After watching "Superwhy" Noah always says, "is it bathtime?"

If I drive a different way home from nursery, he throws a fit. He likes going the same way every...single...day.