Hi Everyone,
I'd like to hear some thoughts from a Christian perspective about whether or not anyone out there as a Christian parent (or relative in general) struggles with having a "favorite" and if you see this as Godly or not (we all know the story of what happened when Jacob picked Joseph as his personal favorite, and then Benjamin after that.)
I personally think it's natural to feel closer to someone who is more like you and/or listens to what you have to say... but do you feel that all of your children should be treated "equally" and how do you accomplish that if you have one (or more) who is rebellious or won't listen to you at all?
I am very blessed in that my parents, I believe, do their best to treat my two brothers and myself equally (and two of us are adopted, which has never mattered to them.) For example, we are scattered around the country, but if one of us needs help with moving, a surgery, etc., my parents will drop everything and go to whichever one of us needs help. And if they give a gift to one of us, they will spend an equal amount on the other two (so they won't give gifts unless they are able to give something to all three of us.)
However, I would definitely say I'm probably closest to my parents--I wouldn't call myself the favorite at all, it's just that we talk more often and connect on more subjects and experiences in general than with my brothers (I realize it might also be that I'm a girl and am more openly emotional).
What about all of you? Do you struggle with trying not to show favoritism to a certain child, sibling, cousin, niece, nephew, etc. as compared to any others you may have? What is a Godly way to handle this? OR, maybe you ARE the favorite... or maybe you grew up resenting someone who was a favorite?
I'd like to hear your stories.
I'd like to hear some thoughts from a Christian perspective about whether or not anyone out there as a Christian parent (or relative in general) struggles with having a "favorite" and if you see this as Godly or not (we all know the story of what happened when Jacob picked Joseph as his personal favorite, and then Benjamin after that.)
I personally think it's natural to feel closer to someone who is more like you and/or listens to what you have to say... but do you feel that all of your children should be treated "equally" and how do you accomplish that if you have one (or more) who is rebellious or won't listen to you at all?
I am very blessed in that my parents, I believe, do their best to treat my two brothers and myself equally (and two of us are adopted, which has never mattered to them.) For example, we are scattered around the country, but if one of us needs help with moving, a surgery, etc., my parents will drop everything and go to whichever one of us needs help. And if they give a gift to one of us, they will spend an equal amount on the other two (so they won't give gifts unless they are able to give something to all three of us.)
However, I would definitely say I'm probably closest to my parents--I wouldn't call myself the favorite at all, it's just that we talk more often and connect on more subjects and experiences in general than with my brothers (I realize it might also be that I'm a girl and am more openly emotional).
What about all of you? Do you struggle with trying not to show favoritism to a certain child, sibling, cousin, niece, nephew, etc. as compared to any others you may have? What is a Godly way to handle this? OR, maybe you ARE the favorite... or maybe you grew up resenting someone who was a favorite?
I'd like to hear your stories.