[needshelp]

i am a single father of a 3 year old daughter. things have been going well with me and my daughter up until recently. she started to call her mother's boyfriend daddy. while i don't think it's right i brush it off but what bothers me is when my daughter tells me she doesn't want me to be her daddy. her mother has been dating this guy for almost 2 years now so he has been in my daughters life. custody of my dd is split 50/50. i try to be in her life as much as i can. i don't know what i did to deserve this. recently my dd's mom and her bf took her to disney for a week. once she came back that's when she started to call him 'daddy' previously she would call him by his first name. when i talk about it with my s/o she thinks that my daughter is being 'brainwashed' i confronted my dd's mom and she denied it. she said that our dd learned it on her own. i thought at this age it's monkey see monkey do. i know kids are smarter then we think but how can things change so quicly with me and my daughter. i would try to ask my dd what's wrong and what i did to her for her to say these things but she just keeps quiet. i really don't know what to do or how to fix this. i've tried telling my dd that now she has 2 daddys but she insists she only has one. she still calls me daddy and everything is fine then i don't know what happens and out of the blue she starts to tell me i'm not her dad anymore
before you jump to conclusions i can swear on the holy bible that i do not abuse my daughter
i need an unbiased opinion to what they think the issue is

Thanks in advance

[IronyForLaughs]

Ok, here is what I think. Your daughter is being "bribed", but in the sense of toys and gifts given to her by the boyfriend. Or maybe your ex is trying to get back at you and telling the daughter this is her new daddy. Hope this helped. Good Luck!

[intothemystic]

I'm thinking that is a phase...a maturity thing. Just keep being her Dad!

[QueenAngie]

A little bribe can cause this.

Every time you speak to your daughter, call yourself Daddy.
"Well, Daddy thinks we should read a story book."
"Daddy says it is time for nighty night!"
You get the idea.

[UberMom]

All that matters is that you are her dad. Don't get caught up in a power struggle with the ex because you literally cannot control what goes on in that household. She will love and appreciate you for who you are. Just be her dad. The rest will come. Good Luck raising your beautiful daughter.

[misstina]

This can be a tough situation. If you have a good enough relationship with your ex you might just want to let her know what is bothering you. Speak your peace and then let it go because the struggle will just drive you crazy. It will work itself out. Just enjoy the time you have with your daughter and good luck.

[herbalifeplus]

I agree that it may have more to do with all the things they may be buying her or taking her to and is probably a phase. It may not even be intentional but the most important thing as someone said above is to keep being daddy and make sure you are spending tons of time with her doing things she likes to do, it does not have to cost money. Honestly, I think your wife should be discouraging her from calling the other man daddy, since you are as much a part and involved in her life as her mother is. I can understand when the father is absent or rarely around but I think in this case it can be extremely confusing for her. I also agree that you should talk to your ex. If your relationship is not good enough to be open about something this important to both you and your daughter than you need to make it so by talking with her gently and the first, second or even third time may not go so easy but do not get angry just keep trying. If talking is too difficult, maybe a letter to start it off.