Why do parents pick favorite children, then say they love each one equally?

Question

you know what i mean, only for people with siblings

Answer 1

I don't know. I try not to pick a favorite. My daughter is 12 and my son is 8. Yes, I do more things with my son and I believe its because we do guy things together. Like watch football, boating, camping, and things guys do. With my daughter, I spend quality time with her doing things she likes, like shopping, taking care of the animals, things like that. I do love both my kids, no more than the other, but I love them for who they are and who they are becoming. Its an equal love but but also a different love for each of them.  

Answer 2

you know what its just an illusion kids feel when they feel they are being treated unjustified

guess what i felt it, my sis felt it, and today i realise we were both wrong, she did love us equaly we just didnt have the perspective back then to see things like i can today

the truth was we were just different kids so my mom adapted her behaviour with us acordingly

Answer 3

I don't have kids, but I imagine that you love all of your kids equally, you just might *like* some of them better than others.

I have five sisters, and I'm sure that my mom would get hit by a bus for any of us, but she prefers the company of some of them. Any why not? Obviously certain personalities bond better when together. That's why people have friends.

Answer 4

i can honestly say i dont have a favorite. i love them all. i have my favorite parts of each of them. but none of them are palced higher then the others in my life and in my heart.

Answer 5

this usually isnt true, sometimes they seem to like one child more, but it changes often. on the off chance one parent really does love one child more, then they are horrible parents.

Answer 6

well,i think that they say it so the other kids shouldn't get upset.I never felt my parents prefer my sister or my baby brother....

Answer 7

Just so the other kids don't get upset. Children aren't stupid they know who the favorite is

Answer 8

exactly what rinne said

Answer 9

I still have the feeling my mom loved us equally. I have 2 brothers and we are very different from each other, but we never felt like my mom had a favourite. We bonded differently with her.

Answer 10

I have 5 brothers and sisters...and I'm now a parent.  What I can tell you is that parents can have more 'in common' with one of their kids than another so they may have more things to talk about and do together than with the other siblings...and they may understand that child better if they're more the same with that child than the others.  But I don't think it's a favorites thing.

What you can do, maybe, is talk to your parent(s)...tell them you feel your sibling is their favorite, tell them WHY you think that (give specific examples of things that have happened that made you feel this way) and tell them that feeling that way hurts your feelings and makes you feel "less than"...they can't correct whatever behavior is making you feel this way unless they know about it.  Telling them during an argument or during a stressful moment isn't the same because they aren't in a place to really listen to you and think about what you're saying...also they could think you're saying it out of frustration and don't really mean it.  The time for this talk is when nothing difficult is going on...just on a Saturday when there's down time, ask him/her/them to come to your room for a private talk, away from your siblings and just be real with them.  At the very least, you will all leave the conversation with a better understanding of how each other are feeling.

Good luck...and take good care!! :)