Comments on: My son has a favourite parent… And it’s not me

By: K.C.

K.C. — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 14:17:40 +0000

My 6 y.o. son’s dad and I are divorced. We don’t have a court-ordered arrangement but we managed to agree to a schedule. The 3 of us still go out together as a “family”. And when we do, I can see that my son favors his dad more than me. I’m more of the disciplinarian and I’m paranoid so I don’t let him do some fun stuff (for example, I don’t like him playing in the big kids playground but his dad will let him). And he thinks that his dad’s inappropriate humor is funny.

BUT I’m the one he goes to when he’s sad, hurt, scared, shy or nervous. And he talks to me like we’re best friends. And we talk in length. And he calls me when he’s with he’s over at his dad’s. And we talk in length on the phone. He never calls his dad when he’s with me.

And I don’t mind at all that his dad is his favorite parent.

By: Kari Frank Barone

Kari Frank Barone — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 19:39:05 +0000

I have all boys as well, and my husband is most definitely their favourite. My husband does all the fun things, talks in funny voices and all the rest. That’s okay, they still tell me I am the best Mama.

By: Tiffany Collins

Tiffany Collins — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 15:05:04 +0000

My guys go back and fourth with this. At first I wont like I was a little hurt. But then I gave my head a shake and realized they are just little words that change like the wind.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 16:22:25 +0000

My daughter said yesterday that I was her favourite parent, because Daddy “is mean”. (He wouldn’t give her pudding in the car.) We both know that she’s a kid and kids say these things but it still hurts! And I certainly don’t know how to navigate that as the favourite parent, because while I don’t want to negate her thoughts or invalidate how she’s feeling, I also don’t want to encourage her to say hurtful things.

By: RuthBH2Day

RuthBH2Day — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 20:28:08 +0000

I must admit I had a little giggle at first because it sounded just like a silly thing kids say, but then I thought, well actually yes without thinking children can say something that just forces a blade into the old heart. You are 173% important to him really

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 16:45:03 +0000

Kids words can sting sometimes, but remember that they don't always understand the weight of what they're saying. Feelings change with the breeze, and he was simply reacting to you being the disciplinarian. My kids (who are older; 7 & 10) have said a few things that have stung me. Each time, I ask them how they think that makes me feel, and they begin to understand a little bit better that their words have consequences. No matter what they say or do, always know that you are irreplaceable in their lives.

By: Irit

Irit — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 15:51:04 +0000

Ohhh.. that would hurt anyone Mayale 🙁 but obviously know he was saying that out of backlash from being told not to do something. One day, when he’s 20/30+ years old, he’ll know all the love and dedication you put into raising them! He’ll eventually realize you’re 100% irreplaceable. I guess for now, 15% will have to do 🙁