Do Parents Have Favorites?

Siblings (Photo credit: James Dennes)

I’ve posed this question many times before and have received varying responses. Some have actually become upset that I would insinuate that they “love” one child over the other(s). Others have been blunt in admitting that they do. I very much believe that parents have favorites. I know first-hand from my own family dynamic of this truth. My mom favors another sibling(s) more than me.

I don’t have any children of my own, but have plenty of nieces and a nephew. I see them so much I might as well consider them my children. I have a favorite. (For the mere fact that I don’t want to start conflict at home I will cowardly withhold naming names). I have a favorite cousin (they know who they are). A favorite sibling (not sure if they realize it). I have a favorite to practically anything. Pizza. Ice cream. You name it.

It is human nature to favor one over the other. Or at least I think so.

I think it would be wise to EMPHASIZE that I view favoritism in a different manner than others. Just because someone or something is my favorite does not mean that I don’t like or even love the other person/thing. When it comes to people it is more so the person I feel I am most like. The person that gets me the best and that has similar interests to mine.

Just because I favor a sibling over another does mean that I don’t like my other siblings (I have 4 siblings). In that case I just get better along with that sibling. Sure, there are days my family annoys me to no end. But it doesn’t deter the fact that they are my family. I actually don’t think it is normal if you don’t once in a while “fight” with your siblings.

I should also EMPHASIZE that I don’t think my mother doesn’t love me. In fact, I think she loves me terribly so (I suspect it a combination of my amazing personality (lol) and the similarities I share with my father who watches over us from heaven). My love and appreciation for my mother is unmatched and eternal.

I should also EMPHASIZE before I get angry texts from my siblings that I love all my nieces and nephew. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m sincere in my affection for them all.

My point is that I think everyone has a favorite. You can love all your children and still have a favorite.