Okay, okay, I’ll say it: we parents of multiple children have a favorite child.
I can almost hear moms shaking their heads in shock and disagreement. OR maybe you are wondering how the heck I can live with myself.
And to you I say: sit tight! Your day will come, my friend.
When you think about it, it’s inevitable that we have a favorite because our kids are easier humans at certain ages. Right now in my world, my oldest has taken back the title of “my favorite child” from that sweet, fresh-as-a-daisy newborn. He has slowly won me back with his charming charisma, easy going attitude and the fact that he can wipe his own bottom (well, most days). He takes care of me when I’m sick, tells me he loves me “just because”, and what really sealed the deal for me is how he helps when THAT BABY is in a mood.
Let’s talk about that baby. It feels like I was tricked by this angelic face and sweet disposition for the last 12-months until he had me right where he wanted me, and then…BOOM! He transformed. And I can’t blame him really; when today’s favorite was around months 13-17 months I remember thinking it was the end of times and I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. Instead, I put him in mothers-day-out twice a week.
This age is something for the books in my house.
They are frustrated all the time because they want to walk and they can’t. They want to communicate with you but they can’t. They live in a constant state of can’t and frustration. The tantrums! The drama! Until they are able to walk and communicate basic needs a little more, we are continuously stuck in this glorious purgatory.
But fear not, friends! I love my sons, both of them, equally. But as you moms know, there are seasons in parenting that rock our world, and we all have our own little tricks of surviving the longer days, the harder times, and the at-our-wist moments. Having a favorite child is a fickle thing and changes like the wind (or whenever one child decides to be easier than the other for a moment).
Do you have a “favorite?” How do you cope with the tough mama-days?
I am currently experiencing this renewed love for my oldest who just entered middle school. Seems opposite of what usually happens. I sure do appreciate gaining his unique perspective. Thanks for having the courage to admit this.