The mother of a 5-year-old tells the nurse that her daughter has always been closer to her than to her husband. The mother expresses concern that, over the last two months, the little girl wants to spend all of her time with her father instead of with the mother. The nurse recognises that this behaviour:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

It is a normal expectation of a preschooler developing sexuality to want to spend more time with the opposite gender parent. It does not necessarily indicate sexual abuse, precocious puberty, or over-identifying with the male gender. The nurse should reassure the mother that this behaviour is normal and healthy for her daughter's development. However, if there are any other concerning symptoms or behaviours, further investigation may be necessary.

The Mother of a 5-Year-Old Tells the Nurse That Her