Do you think it's true that every parent has a favourite child?

[LittleTwiglet]

Just a discussion I've been having with a couple of friends, so do you have a favourite child, and why?

No. Because I do not.

No. I do enjoy different things about them/doing different things with them. Some days one or the other may be being annoying! But I love them both massively and simply could not choose one over the other.

I do. But, then again, I only have one child.

No i don't have a favourite.

I did this morning when one of them bit me, and the other filled up the toilet roll holder without being asked.

Usually no.

I like the one that sleeps best. Some days that neither of them.

No

Mine piss me off equally

I am so aware that my mother favoured my brother, so I try very hard to make sure I don't play favourites.

No

Yes, but he's my only child so he's also my least favourite 😉

I don't think every parent has a favourite child, although with personality types, I'm sure there are times in a child's live where they will have more in common with their parent than their sibling does.

@Marmite27

I did this morning when one of them bit me, and the other filled up the toilet roll holder without being asked.

Usually no.

😂😂😂😂😂

No. They are too different.

I am aware my eldest is the favourite grandchild and try to compensate for that a bit when with grandparents (I believe its unconscious favoritism from GPs)

No. Genuinely not - and I’d always assumed that people do and that I would have. They’re different, which is great, but I love both the same. (As @Marmite27 so effectively makes the point, though, there are days when one is definitely in the ascendant. But not in the round….)

Yes, but I only have one!

Mine are adults now but no, no ongoing favourite but I'll admit to liking one or the other better on individual days. One is easier to get along with but I love them both the same amount but love/like different things about them (and some things equally).

I can see that if you had a challenging child, you might love them the same but not always like the way they behave and therefore it would feel easier to favour the one that is more compliant? Probably depends on what attributes you like better.

No. They're all my favourites for different reasons.

@Marmite27

I did this morning when one of them bit me, and the other filled up the toilet roll holder without being asked.

Usually no.

🤣 balanced start to the day!

One of my siblings is definitely the golden child to my one parent, so yes.

As they go through different phases and stages, we have better or worse relationships with them, but I think that’s normal.

When DD was small she used to ask what age Daddy and the boys (her older brothers) would move out so she could just live with me. Currently Dad is The Good One™️ And I’m the evil witch ruining her life.

In mid teens DS and DH could barely exchange civil words and now they get on brilliantly.

We love them all the same but who we most enjoy the company of changes back and forth as they grow up.

Nope, I dislike mine both equally 😁

I dont agree with a "favourite" but there is no doubt traits in DC that you prefer, or a favourite activity to do with them individually.

One of my DC is full of cuddles and I enjoy the closeness and know they do, the other won't have any of it and has never been cuddly but as soon as I get the craft box out her eyes light up, so that's my favourite thing to do with her. Where as my youngest isn't in to drawing etc. Swings in roundabouts I think.

I do know someone who has a favourite out of her 3 children. Everyone can see it, she's pretty much said it. It's sad to watch tbh.

I think sometimes you can relate to, or get on with one child better. My children all have their good and bad points, absolutely no favourite.
I was the typical middle child/least favourite. I'm very mindful to treat my children equally as I know first hand how damaging it can be for the non favourite child.

Yes. My sister is my mums favourite by far and its very obvious. She SAYS she doesnt though. Thats a whole different thread really.....

you have posed 2 very different questions.

I don't think it's true that every parent has a favourite child.
but some parents do.
I know some who won't admit it to their kids and also some who have.

do I have a favourite child? no

who would I save from a fire first? not sure, but the answer is not based on love. I had that discussion as a thought excercise with many people and so far it's still undecided between:
a, the youngest, because they are the least mature to help themselves
b, oldest because they would be most helpful
c, whoever is closest physically
d, aarrrgghhhh I hate thinking about this!!

there are certainly times when I feel closer or have a better time with some because we do something together and have a better rapport than the arsehole of the month (AOTM) who just winds me up.
but I know that AOTM needs just as much if not more compassion, love & attention so I do my best to balance things out.

we have 7 kids so yeah "who's your favourite " has come up more than once.
I love them all, couldn't ever pick a favourite

Yes because I am favourite one but back in reality no it’s just each of me & my sibling so different in personalities and relationship with parents is same.

Same with my kids, I know don’t have favourite even though one is complete nightmare they both need me in different ways as parent. Helps big age gap.