Do you have a favorite child???

Do you have a favorite child?
Are you fair and impartial to all your children?
Do you treat them all equally?
Do you love all your children unconditionally and equally?

Growing up, some of us had this feeling of not being loved as much as our siblings by one of our parents or both as the case may be.

Some others knew they could get away with things some or all of their siblings won't get away with or we could get things from our parents that our siblings won't be given if they asked.

Being a parent now, we may or may not have realised that we have favorites. But its possible that we are drawn more to a particular child because of the nature of that child appealing to us.

Favoritism can be expressed by spending more time with one child, being less strict or more strict, giving more affection and more privileges, etc

Sometimes favoritism can be fair. Showing more care to a newborn or a sick child for instance is expected.

Loving a child more than others can cause feelings of not being wanted in the other children because its obvious sometimes that a parent has a favorite child. This can lead to resentment amongst siblings and even depression. It can rid a child of his/self confidence and may even cause a rift between the children.

Even those parents who felt bad not being loved as much as their siblings when they were younger are sometimes still guilty of favouritism.

Some parents are partial to their biological children in families where there are adopted children or step children. some others favour the eldest or the youngest child, and the middle child is ignored.

Interestingly, children's well-being is highest when parents exhibit no favoritism toward anyone, favored children have to contend with sibling hostility.

As parents we should avoid being partial.
All children have their good points and we should focus on our child's positive qualities while ensuring we do not compare one child to another.