Everyone has favorites. Maybe a favorite color (purple) or a favorite food (lasagna). You may even have a favorite person. This person is typically considered your best friend. But what about when it comes to family? Should you have a favorite? More specifically, should you have a favorite child and/or grandchild?
I hate to generalize, but I believe in most families with more than one child, there is a favorite. Family dynamics may vary but everyone typically knows who this child is. From the gist of this post, one can assume that the “favorite” child status is not me. And I was cool with it. I can accept a loved one shortcomings even if said shortcoming meant that I was considered the level-headed one that didn’t demand a lot of attention.
And then I had kids of my own. I love my two girls in different ways but I love them the same. Hubby and I are very sensitive about showing favoritism. What we do for one child, we do for the other.
Other people, family members included, may not show the same restraint. What to do about a grandparent that shows blatant favoritism toward the other grandchildren? What do you do when your child has been hurt by the callous disregard from a grandparent? Talking doesn’t help. This person doesn’t think they did anything wrong. My only recourse to protect my children is by keeping them away from their grandparent. Somehow that doesn’t seem right either.
Playing favorites. Everyone has them. But in families, playing that game can only push people apart.