by Melissa R. Bickel

Created on: March 19, 2007   Last Updated: March 25, 2009

Could it be possible? Could a parent like another child more than the other? Society would have us believe so. Talk shows create whole scenarios on the possibility, but really, is it that a parent likes one child more or is it that they might relate to another child better?

If you have siblings, it could very well be that each of your personalities draws your parents attention in different ways. Are you liked less because of this? More than likely, NO. Just because a parent might favor one child over another doesn't mean the parent doesn't like or love you. As humans, we all gravitate to or draw closer to those we understand. As parents then, we might feel closer to a child who has like traits or similar feelings as our own.

I grew up thinking that mom liked my sister more, up until we were in our twenties we fought about it a lot. I can recall mentioning to mom that she liked my sister more. Mom commented that it wasn't so much that she liked my sister more, it was my sister was so similar in personality to her, so she could relate to my sister's personality easier than she could mine.

I realized in that moment what mom said was true. I was so independent as a child. I didn't care to be fussed over or cuddled as much as my sister needed. Where I was independent, my sister wasn't. Mom related to my sister more, because she was similar in feelings and needs like my sister was.

In life it is not so much that parents love their children any differently, as it is they tend to draw closer to whatever child is similar in likes and dislikes as they themselves are. Children grow in different ways. Some are very independent and feel they can conquer the world on their own. Another child might need to be nurtured more and require more attention.

Regardless, a parent should always be equal when sharing their expressions of love for their children. Even though you may relate to one child more than another by reassuring your children although you might respond differently to each of them, they all hold a special place in your hearts that another doesn't hold.

We can't help being drawn to those who need us the most or we can't help drawing close to those who feel or act similar. It's a very human nature. This would be the same in family circles. The important thing to remember is this, "LOVE" is the bonding glue which helps to bind the entire family together regardless if we relate to one child over another.

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