Do you believe that this is typical; that parents love their eldest child more than the others? When my daughter was about five or six, she asked if she got had a little brother or sister, if I would it more or less. I remember telling her that I would always love her more. At the time there was no new siblings for her in sight, or in plans, so it was easy to say. Lately, though, I have been thinking about telling her that. I kinda wish I hadn't, or at the very least she never brings it up again.

From my perspective, it's usually the baby of the family who's favored more so I would wager to say they are the ones who are loved more, usually.

Supernova wrote:

From my perspective, it's usually the baby of the family who's favored more so I would wager to say they are the ones who are loved more, usually.

I think the baby is 'babied' more, but I don't know if parents generally favor them. As the youngest and only boy, my parents coddled and overprotected me, but it was clear that my eldest sister was the one they had the most respect for. She had more leeway, didn't have as much criticism or scrutiny, and I'd say was more favored.

Chris, don't sweat it about having told your daughter that. Consider that she is not going to be the child that lives with you full time...she will perhaps need assurance that she is still in your heart, so having that memory of what you said years ago isn't the worst thing in the world for her.

As an only child, I don't have any personal experience in favoritism, but in regard to what I have seen with friends, sometimes the older ones are viewed as more mature and accomplished, and maybe that is because they have been around longer, and the parents have seen more of their successes and overcoming of failure.

I think the oldest child gets the most respect....because hey, they were the first. The family started with them. That's always gonna mean something special to a parent. Add how the parent places more responsibility on them, and also knows that with them they made more trial & error mistakes (which creates some guilt on their end.) So yeah, older kids make out good.

LOL, no. My mother loves me, but if she had to choose, I think she would say she loves my brother and younger sister more.

My parents were always very careful to treat my bothers and I equally. I think my Mom was harder on me because I"m a girl and my Dad was harder on my brother, but they loved us both equally. Your daughter might not even remember that conversation. I think parents love their in different ways, but not necessarily one child more than the other.

RedBedroom wrote:

Chris, don't sweat it about having told your daughter that. Consider that she is not going to be the child that lives with you full time...she will perhaps need assurance that she is still in your heart, so having that memory of what you said years ago isn't the worst thing in the world for her.

That's very true Red, I agree, and thought about that too. Part of me wants to overcompensate, knowing that it will be an adjustment for her to not be my only child anymore; on the other hand, another part of me doesn't, simply because I told her that a long time ago. We'll see how this goes.