Hello, my name is "Bad Guy"

My daughter is only 18 months old but she already understands that Mom is the bad guy and Daddy will "save" her.  At each of the regularly scheduled nap/ night times, I approach her and say, "Eva, it's time for night night napper".  If her Dad is home, she bolts towards him and climbs up his legs as fast as possible, laying her head on his chest and glaring at me out of the corner of her eyes.  He coos at her, apologizing that we have to lay her down for a nap, and rubs her back.  I have to pry her from his arms.

She knows that Daddy gives her ice cream and Mommy gives her carrots.  She drags him through the house by his finger demanding that he follow her lead.  He complies.  She gleefully runs from him when he tries to change her diaper, knowing he will play her game.

I am already the bad guy.  I am the serious one.  The disciplinarian.  The pusher of the veggies and Hitler of nap schedules.  The one constantly trying to teach the 1, 2, 3's and colors and demanding correct verbalization while he just hands out cookies, cuddles, and smiles.

This will get increasingly more annoying and potentially damaging as she grows up.  Surely, as a teenager, she will be manipulative and ask her Dad for things after I've already said "no", knowing that he will give in if she smiles sweetly and calls him, "Daddy".  I am pretty sure she will definitely try to play us against each other so that the outcome is goes towards her favor.  I am fairly positive that he will explain to her that "WE can't because MOM said no" with an understanding nod and sneak her snacks when I send her to bed with no dinner for talking back at the table.

He is a total sucker for her.  He cannot say no.  All he cares about is her happiness.  He lives to see her smile.

...And I wouldn't have it any other way.