Parents are human. They have “favorites” even when it comes to their kids.
Parents will deny that they have favorites, but if you ask their kids, they all know who it is. Seventy five percent of parents have a favorite child.
Most parents have “shifting favoritism” depending on family dynamics, the kid’s developmental period, the “condition” of parents and the challenges each kid brings to the family.
Shifting favoritism creates a healthy competition between kids who are always vying for parents’ attention, but if favoritism is consistent, it’ll become a lasting part of the family’s culture causing lifelong damage to the “tolerated” child.
A few things to note. The middle child is the least likely to be the favorite and the favored child is one who makes you feel the most successful as a parent.
Be aware of your human preferences and find something to appreciate about your least favorite child and embrace it.
Claudia
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