Parents Have a Favorite Child – Is It You?
Shocking, I know. But according to new research, parents have a favorite child. If you’re sitting there thinking, “Is it me?” well, congratulations, Chosen One. Grab your trophy and try…
High fives for gentle parenting… The techniques is very popular among Millennial parenting styles.
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Shocking, I know. But according to new research, parents have a favorite child. If you’re sitting there thinking, “Is it me?” well, congratulations, Chosen One. Grab your trophy and try not to trip on your sibling’s tears on your way to the podium.
iStock Photo/Getty ImagesSo, what’s the deal? A big ol’ study with over 19,000 participants broke the code, and it turns out that favoritism isn’t as random as which kid finds the remote first. Oh no—it’s a calculated game of Survivor: Parenting Edition.
Here are five spicy nuggets of knowledge about how parents pick their golden child:
1. Mom and Dad have a soft spot for daughters.
Why? Maybe it’s because daughters tend to call home more. Or maybe it’s just that the thought of cleaning up Axe Body Spray and sweaty gym socks gives parents a full-body shiver. Either way, girls win this round.
2. Responsibility is hot.
If you’re the kid who turns in homework on time, keeps your room clean, and doesn’t treat your parents like Uber drivers, congratulations—you’re probably the favorite. The slobs of the family? Y’all are just there to keep the bar low for everyone else.
3. Agreeableness is king.
Parents love the kid who keeps the peace and doesn’t act like every family gathering is an episode of Real Housewives. Are you the one who helps organize Thanksgiving dinner or the one who shows up late with uninvited guests and a gluten-free request? Because one of those screams "favorite," and the other screams "blocked on Mom’s Facebook."
4. Birth order means freedom, not favoritism.
Firstborns usually get the perks: later curfews, decision-making power, and probably the least embarrassing baby pictures. But don’t get cocky, Eldest Child—just because you got the first crack at being their pride and joy doesn’t mean you’re their current MVP.
5. Favoritism is sneaky.
Sometimes, parents treat one kid better, and that kid is blissfully unaware, floating on their cloud of parental approval. But don’t worry—their siblings notice. Oh, they notice. They’ve got receipts, grudges, and maybe even a therapy fund.
So there you have it: parental favoritism, decoded. Just don't turn into your parents...right? If you’re not the favorite, don’t take it personally (but also maybe clean your room?). And if you are the favorite—don’t worry. We all knew anyway. Just try not to rub it in too much... unless your siblings really deserve it.
