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Avoid Favouritism: Make Your Teens Feel Special

Image Equal love is not shown by equal treatment. Some parents go to extreme lengths to show that they're not favouring one child over the other.

They do things like give birthday presents to the sibling who is not having a birthday or carefully measure servings, so that each receives exactly the same.

Treat children uniquely not equally
This is unnecessary and causes siblings to compare over increasingly trivial things. Children don't have to be treated equally. If your children complain about different treatment, acknowledge their feelings but state that since their needs are different each will be dealt with according to their needs.

If your daughter says, 'You spent more time helping my brother with his homework than you spent with me'. Explain that the amount of time you give, depends on how much help each needs. Ask her if she needs more help and offer to give it.

Boost her confidence
What should you say to your daughter when she claims that you love him, more than you love her? If you say "I love you both equally', then she may pressure you to choose or she may feel that you are just saying that to fob her off. Try instead stressing what it is you like about her. Let her understand that each of them is special to you in different ways but be specific about what it is you like. Say something like, 'No one else has your sense of humour. And who else can help me with the gardening like you do?'

 

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