To be a bit uncomfortable with friend's behaviour...

[wifey6]

towards her children?
My friend & I have been friends since school..both have young children who play together weekly. From very early on I noticed she favoured her youngest DS. (They are 4 yo & 2 yo) The way she would give more attention, in ways of cuddles, time & even how she spoke to him.
It was the opposite with her eldest DS, who she would be (still is) very dismissive of.
She makes comments in front of her eldest that the youngest is 'more handsome', 'sweet', 'loving' etc.
the eldest does act up for attention but more worryingly has started agreeing with his mum that the youngest is all the things she says & that he isn't.
I don't say anything to her, but make every effort to reassure the eldest that he is 'handsome', 'loving' & 'caring' & really include him when playing with my own DCs.
Should I say anything to her about the favourtism & if I do, how do I handle it without causing offense?
Sorry for long post

Well done from me too, I am so glad she was open to listening, that's a great & very hopeful start, she's very lucky to have you as a friend, her DS especially is

Well done op you are a fantastic friend and did te right thing. I was going to suggest going to te doctor with her but you are doing it next week. Very good outcome

Hormonal crying again...you are all so kind.

Wifey IMO you couldn't have handled it better, bloody brilliant!!!! She needed the cue you gave her to cry it's making me cry now. Also the fact it wasn't a formal heart to heart was great.

Let's hope she is now thinking hard about her attitude also about her DH.

Hello wifey6. I have no words of wisdom to add except to say reading this thread had also made me cry (blaming hormones too as 14 weeks with dc1!).

Your friend is lucky to have you.

Puggy YYY I agree, I can't blame my hormones though!

a lump in my thoat, and NO hormones to blame either

keep us posted Op x

Well done wifey. The world needs more people like you.

Good news wifey, you've handled that really well.

Hi op. Sorry for earlier msg - it was wrong of me to say that to you. You have handled the situation really well, something I would have struggled with.

Well done to you. You handled a difficult situation very well.

Bloody hell, you are brave and a very good friend. Well done.

I feel so sorry for the little boy :(

You did really, really well

I hope that things get sorted out for her so that her DS1 doesn't have any more of this inflicted on him. I hope she lets you, the Dr, the class & others help. I'd love an update from time to time :)

OP you sound like a lovely friend.

Thanks all for your lovely messages.
Been out with my DS today so only just logged back in.
Will absolutely keep you all posted on her progress.
Thank you all again for your encouragement, advice & help to approach this in the way it needed.

Vipers, the lot of us eh?

Well done OP, I gasped when I saw her message, I really hope she does go, you can't let her cancel!

Really well done, OP.
She does need help not condemnation, and she has a great friend in you.

Well done wifey

I wanted to say that my mother has sibce the day my younger sibling was born favoured her. I've now gone no contact with either of them and I'm finally figuring out just how damaging their treatment of me was. I'm 35. If more family and friends who now say they saw it all along had stepped in then I would still be in touch.

well done wifey . I am relieved she was open. 2 fab DS here too. Good luck with your #2.

You must contact some professional for help. I don't know if NSPCC or childline help but this family really need support more than you can give.

Poor little boy.
Thank God he has you. It seems like you are the only one fighting his corner. How lovely and sensitive you are.

Nothing useful to add OP...just wanted to say you are a bloody amazing friend/person.