Avoid
Favouritism: Make Your Teens Feel Special
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?'
|