Does every parent have a favorite kid?

[AussieFan8]

This is probably a little odd, but one of the reasons we only have one child is I was worried that I would strongly prefer one over the other or do better with one than the other if I had multiple. I seem to be a "one at a time" kind of person - one dog, one kid, one significant other (I wasn't good at dating more than one person at a time), etc.

I have a sneaking suspicion that I might be my mom's favorite, but she would never tell. She tries very hard to treat us all equally.

I agree with the previous poster that grandparents seem to have a favorite. I see it from all the grandparents in the family even though I'm sure they try not to show it.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Of course you love them all the same and will do anything for any of them. But any parent that says that don't enjoy time with one child over another is a big fibber.

 

[wenrob]

I have one child that has never given me a problem. Like literally never talked back, never rolled his eyes, always does the right thing. If I had to pick a favorite, um, well. Let's just say he's my favorite when I am having a bad day and he unloads the dishwasher and gets the coffee maker ready for the next day without being asked.

I thanked my DS for not being a complicated child the other day. He’s going to make a great spouse someday. He’s figured out that if he just does as asked, before being asked his day is his and he won’t have me bugging him. His sisters not so much, lol.

I have my favorite things about each child but not a favorite child.

 

[wenrob]

This is probably a little odd, but one of the reasons we only have one child is I was worried that I would strongly prefer one over the other or do better with one than the other if I had multiple. I seem to be a "one at a time" kind of person - one dog, one kid, one significant other (I wasn't good at dating more than one person at a time), etc.

I have a sneaking suspicion that I might be my mom's favorite, but she would never tell. She tries very hard to treat us all equally.

I agree with the previous poster that grandparents seem to have a favorite. I see it from all the grandparents in the family even though I'm sure they try not to show it.

My older DD was absolutely my Dad’s favorite. He never ever favored her over the others though if that makes sense and I know he loved all of them fiercely.

 

[lifesavacation]

My husband and I definitely have a favorite. We would never publicly say that, but I’m anonymous here She’s all goodness and got the best of both of us. She’s truly been a pleasure to parent.

 

[bookgirl]

I don't know that it is all about 'favorites'.

I love both my nephews equally, but personality wise I am more compatible with one then the other. We'll call him Twin B. (I helped raise them and in fact Twin B lived with his dad, my brother, and as such I ended up being his main maternal figure)

Twin B is also more reciprocal in the relationship than his brother, Twin A. I see Twin B more, he gets more opportunity for perks (I feed him more, I slip him spending money) I talk with him more about life, etc, he has a closer relationship with me, than his actual mother.

I do this stuff with his brother too, but it's more Aunt than Maternal.

Some would call Twin B my favorite, but it's just the nature of our relationship. For the Record Twin B does not have the same relationship with his mom as Twin A. Twin A is definitely his mom's favorite between the twins.

 

[fab1976]

I have a favorite son and a favorite daughter. Of course I only have one of each but that’s beside the point

 

[neverlandsky]

No one is favorite overall over the other, well except sometimes DH. He tends to be my favorite. Oldest and Youngest would ask me and I would always say DH. They would get so mad. Yet, it's true. They are going to fly the nest one day and DH is ultimately my favorite.

 

[wenrob]

I have a favorite son and a favorite daughter. Of course I only have one of each but that’s beside the point

I call mine “my favorite blonde daughter/redhead daughter” and my “favorite son.” I only have one son.

 

[eMoneyBug]

Yes but it can change at a moments notice

 

[nw6675]

My one and only...is my heart. But her half brother who lived with us from 12 on...and told us at Disney he wanted us to be his permanent household in 2002..yeah, I love my 33 yr old and my 9 yr old!!

 

[Sinder]

I have a favorite oldest child, a favorite middle child and a favorite youngest child.

 

[tzolkin]

In our family, we don't have a favorite kid. We really do love them both the same.

I think if there was an objective way to quantify it, most people love their children the same amount but they don’t love them the same way.

People have different personalities so they are naturally going to have different relationships. My two oldest girls are 22 and 17 and have completely different personalities. When we hang out we do different things, we discuss different topics, we just generally have a different vibe. Some things are more comfortable with one, some things are easier/natural with the other.

I love them unconditionally, but it’s a slightly different love and a different type of relationship.

Of course you love them all the same and will do anything for any of them. But any parent that says that don't enjoy time with one child over another is a big fibber.

This is what I tend to think. There are certain people and certain personalities that just click better. If this is true with everyone else you interact with (coworkers, friends, extended family), I don’t know how it could not be true with your children.

You may have two friends that you care about equally, but one is better to go to when you need someone to confide in. And maybe the other is more fun or easygoing to travel with.

 

[goofyernmost]

In our family, we don't have a favorite kid. We really do love them both the same.

That isn't the question. I have two children. Both middle age now. One is very close to me and we have hours of discussion every week. We are so close that I am scared for her when I pass. I think she will be very upset, she will adjust but will have a rough time and I don't want that but short of not dying, I don't know what I can do about it. I love her she is my baby girl and always will be.

My other daughter has never done anything to me or said anything to me in a negative sense, but our opinions and beliefs couldn't be further apart. I still love her, she is my first baby and really was a great kid through out the part of her life that we spent together. Now, even though we live about 3.5 miles apart the only way I see her is on her kids birthdays, my birthday, her birthday and Christmas Eve. She never calls me, but seems like she feels that the couple of hours every other Saturday that we play 9 holes of golf is all the exposure she needs. In fairness, she acts that way with the whole family, her sister, her friends, or as many as she has left, and her other relatives. She just doesn't seem to want to spend any time with any of us. However, is cordial to all of us when we do get together. I don't know how to figure her out so it is tough to have any real relationship. As I said, that doesn't mean I don't love her, she's my flesh and blood, but the word like enters into the discussion.

I believe that you can and many times do love your children equal, however that doesn't mean that you cannot like one or more better than the other(s). Not every human you meet can be someone that you like to spend time with, just human nature. I fully expect to leave both of them totally equal shares of whatever I leave behind. If I plan it right, there will be very little to worry about left behind, but whatever it is it will be equally shared.

 

[disney4us2002]

I believe throughout our years with our 3 sons, we each had a favorite at one time or another. It was never a static thing, and I think that's pretty typical in talking to my gf. Different personalities, activities and interests clicked with one of us more than the other and then time would pass and the scenarios would change. They're grown now and they each still believe they are the favored child. I guess that means we done good, lol.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I have my favorite things about each child but not a favorite child.

Great way to put it!

I think if there was an objective way to quantify it, most people love their children the same amount but they don’t love them the same way.

This too!

 

[beanjean]

No, we don't have a favorite. Love them both equally

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I can't imagine declaring a favourite. Both my girls are amazing. They have their similarities but also their differences that make them special in their own way. It's not always perfect with each of them but I do feel truly lucky. They each think the other is the favourite but they are definitely equal in my mind.

 

[GAN]

Mine are adults ...it changes every day! LOL

 

[mom2rtk]

My favorite is whoever is giving me the least trouble in the moment!

For the win!