I know its such a politically incorrect topic but I wonder, do parents really play favorites? or ahve you ever felt like your parents played favorites? Or is it more like that parents recognize a chlid’s strength and weakness and they treat them according to that, and that is seen as favoritism?
I have known parents who were harder on one child to the point the child felt unloved and unfavored…but in reality the parents just had more faith in them and saw they had more potential to be better..adn pushed them harder than the other siblings.
Sara, since I have 3 boys all very close in age, this is a subject I've come up against. I dearly love all 3, each for their own little selves. Yet, there are times when one feels less loved for some reason or another.
I try my darnedest to make sure that each knows how very much they are cherished and what their special things are. And I watch for jealousies to make sure that one doesnt feelless loved than another.
Its a tough scale to balance for sure! But one I'm careful about. I have seen parents who definitely favor one over the other, whether its due to gender or personality. That assures messed up kids.
As a mother I would say no - I love both of my girls the same.
But as observer - I see it. Maybe it because we don't see the mother's intentions perhaps.
My MIL treats both of her sons very differently. My hubby has always been very independent and she knows that he can take care of himself
The baby of the family is still treated like he is in diapers. They hold his hand through everything in life. So to an observer it seems like favoritism.
Hmm .. I dont think the mothers to it on purpes and probably they cant see it themselve either, but it happens VERY OFTEN!..
My bhabhi favors her first born very much compared to the rest for some reason. Jealousy is seen among the kids and well I dont think she sees it herself. :(
I know parents who will "love" (not sure if thats the right word) one child more if they are the baby of the family or the only boy or girl.
i dont think my parents played favorites but definitely the treatment was totally different...even now i see some differences though its getting less and less.
Ah...the youngest. This is a tough thing. Its so easy to baby them more, to cherish their little accomplishments more because you often know that its your last time as a parent to experience these things. The first steps they take...never again will you see the first steps of your baby. Graduation out of diapers - a huge celebration but also the loss for all time of having an infant. The very last "first day of school".
These things are tempered of course with the youngest having to deal with the elder children and their jealousies lol!!
Its something that moms with more than 1 have to learn to temper.