Which Child Do You Like Best?

[Jessica at Parenting.com]

Okay, we're not going to make you answer that question.

But it brings up an interesting topic addressed in the September issue of Parenting magazine.

Check out the article, Mom's Dirty Little Secrets (http://www.parenting.com/article/Mom/Relationships/Moms-Dirty-Little-Secrets).

It sheds a light on those "unmentionable" thoughts that go through our heads, and encourages us to think it through and forgive ourselves.

For example, do you sometimes like one child more than the other?

Stay-at-home-moms: do you secretly think you have it easy?

Do you wish your child were more like you?

Let's talk about it! Do you have thoughts like these? How do you deal with them?

[craftyashley]

I have identical twin girls. And while they look identical, they could not be more different in personality. I have thought about which one I would "like better" and I like the different things about them. But they are in a stage where they rotate which is cranky and which is happy. This is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that I don't have a labeled "difficult child" and can have the favorite well behaved child of the day and enjoy them both on different days. The curse is that I always have one cranky baby... every day!

[ktejmommy]

I went through a phase where I liked (though of course loved them equally) my daughter better. Right after my son was born he was fussy, he had reflux that had me beyond stressed and was allergic to just about anything that touched his skin. He was just SO much more high maintenance than the average baby (more than my daughter was.. more than I was used to). I felt I was closer to her because I could communicate with her in English, I already had a relationship with her, she SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT, etc.
Now as he's getting older and the reflux is gone and allergies are in check (lol - it's hindsight, I can laugh about it, right?) I'm starting to "favor" him because he actually gives me less fits (she's 2... enough said).
To admit it honestly - this is the True Confessions board afterall - that's the way it's gone. But when I step back and look at them individually I love them both dearly with everything I have.

*And just as the article said, they'll each have their phases and my "favorite" will change - and that's ok :)

[lena241]

Tobubbles212006:
I wish I were a stay at home mom.
I work full time. Can you imagine doing everything you do in a day: shopping, dr appts, play dates, cleaning house, laundry, prepare healthy meals, baths, bedtimes, checking homework, having play time with you kids, etc. and having to put in 50 hours at the office, and dont forget the roundtrip 2 hour commute. Then you have daycare drop offs, in which your child screams bloody murder until your car exits the parking lot, and you know she is fine, she just misses you because you are never home with her? Im not saying being a SAHM is easy, but walk a month in working moms shoes, and you would pray you could stay home with your kids. The sitter is definately not a break for a working mom, its just part of the routine.

[supermomwannabe]

My son and I have a very special relationship because I was a single mom for his first 3 years and his dad was never around. I think that because of this I tend to favor him more than my daughter and I am also VERY protective of him. At the same time my daughter is so amazing. I love to watch her and love her and kiss her. Overall I probably "favor" them equally but on certain days I might favor one more than the other. Just depends on who is being more difficult :) Thank goodness for Daddy!

[needsanap]

I think that every Mom thinks they have it harder than another. Stay at home or a working mom, we all have the same kind of stuff that needs to get done. I really don't think either one of us should make the other feel bad. Don't we have enough to worry about? Bottom line...do what you have to, to be able get through the day, week, month or year. If you love your child they will eventually be able to see that you are doing the best you can.