Don’t tell my kids, but I have a favorite child. I know that I’m not supposed to play favorites, and that millions of dollars of therapy rest comfortably on the foundation of parental favoritism, but I can’t help myself. When you have a child that is sweet, loving, well-behaved, and funny, it’s damn near impossible not to like that child more. Oh, I should mention, the distinction of favorite child changes daily, if not hourly.
Right this very second, my son is my favorite child based solely on the conversation I just overheard in the kitchen.
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| Today’s winner. |
Graham: Wanders in the kitchen
The Doctor: Why are you away from the table? You weren’t excused.
Graham: Mom said I could be excused.
The Doctor: Who’s the boss?
Graham: Mom’s the boss.
The Doctor: WHAT?
Graham: Oh, and you. You and Mom are the boss.
The Doctor: But who’s the biggest boss?
Graham: Mom.
The Doctor: But who’s the best?
Graham: Mom. Mom’s the best.
He really had today’s win sealed up earlier, when his sister called me “stupid Mom,” but he went for a personal best by helping Lily put her 343 piece Lego set together before dinner, and throwing down “Mom’s the boss” after dinner.
Now, since this conversation happened after dinner, there isn’t much time left for Lily to steal the Favorite Child crown away from her big brother. Add that to the fact that he goes to bed much easier than she does, and we may as well declare the winner for the day.
Good luck tomorrow, kids. May the odds be ever in your favor!
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Ha! You're raising him the right way! I, too, have a favortie child, and like you, mine fluctuates often. A little (perceived) competition keeps everyone sharp-
You are so right!
Ha! Love it.It reminds of this one conversation between my husband and I several years ago. My youngest was probably 2 or 3 and was throwing a huge fit in the middle of the floor. The oldest was ignoring him, playing happily over in her own little world. I was over his shenanigans and about to lose it, when my husband says, "So. Have you decided which one is your favorite yet?"
That's awesome!
I make my daughter tell her father that I am the boss all the time. I like that he did this on his own. Not only is he todays fav but he is a genius.
Ha! Good for you! I gotta say, I liked it. I may make my kids tell my husband that more often 🙂 Don't feel bad for him. They think he's funnier and smarter than I am.
Yep, mine depends on the day as well. I should have a "Who Is The Favorite?" chart on my fridge so I can threaten them-"Uh-oh, looks like your brother is beating you by two points! You'd better go get me a pop from the kitchen to swing it in your favor" "Your sister is in the lead, you'd better clean your room!" There could be prized and everything. Hey now, that's genius-why have I never thought of that before? 😉
Seriously. I think we're on to something.
I always suspected that I was my dad's favorite, and then once as an adult, I found an old, old assignment in a drawer that my parents had done for an early childhood education class where my Dad wrote that I was his favorite kid. My mom had chosen my sister. It was weird to finally be validated as dad's favorite while simultaneously passed over by my mom. I would think of it from time to time until I had my own kids. Now I totally agree that my favorite varies by the moment. 🙂 I still like to think about being Dad's favorite though.
That would be a very strange tangle of emotions. And what an interesting assignment! I never had to wonder. My younger brother was my parents' favorite. Maybe I'll write about that one day. I was my Grandma's favorite, though. 🙂
He'd be my favorite, too, with a day like that!!! What a cutie! Your daughter will make a comeback today, I predict. She will not be denied two days in a row.You are very lucky to have a clear front runner for a WHOLE DAY. My kids tend to trade back and forth several times each day. Neither one has it in them to keep it going for a full 24 hours.
Ha! He only had to stay on my good side for a few hours, since he was at school most of the day. Weekends have much more back and forth.
I love the concept that yeah, I sure as hell DO have favorites…it just varies from moment to moment. Glad I stumbled onto your blog.
I'm glad you stopped by! How can we not have favorites? Sometimes one is cleaning up toys while the other is throwing a fit!
Heck yeah, I don't even know your child but ANY child who says Mom is the best/boss is my favorite too. 🙂 Good luck little sister them's tough shoes to fill.