Favoritism in My Children

I constantly tell my kids they are my favorite. They all know I do this and they all know what I mean. They really are my favorite. Each of them is my favorite for something they do. And there are days that one might truly be my favorite. I know this for certain because I can honestly say there are days when a kid was NOT my favorite. We all have those days.

I am the youngest of 9 children. I used to kid that my parents had to keep having kids until they got it right! At no point in my life did I not feel like I had the attention that I needed. At no point did I feel slighted. At no point did I feel like my needs were not met. Actually, I was not used to undivided attention. When I was finally the only one in the house, 100% attention was mine. This freaked me out! I guess when you are used to sharing attention, getting it all is the real adjustment.

I am a stay at home mom of kids 7,7,5,5 and 2. I now understand how my parents did it. Okay, I don’t completely understand, but I think I am catching on. My kids are a bit like me. If you are in my face asking me questions, I usually take a step back. When you let me do my thing, I will approach you when I need something. My kids function much of the same way. Therefore, I have assumed the role of moderator and referee.

I make sure the group is running smoothly. I determine what we are going to do for the day. We enjoy days that are not filled with plans. My kids like to make up things to do as the day progresses. They come to me when they need things. They come to me when they are hurt. You can tell when someone needs extra attention that day and then they get it. What they need to know the most is that I am always there. Go be a kid and have fun. Know your Mom is always here whenever you have a question, need help, want to read, need help with homework or are ready for lunch. What my Mom did best was let me know that regardless of what I was doing, she was always there for me and she was 100% reliable. That is the Mom I will be.

I digressed, but I think it was important to be said. Who I am as a Mom is because of my Mother. Why my kids really know they are my favorite is because I know I was my Mom’s favorite. Not at everything, but I was her favorite Karen for sure!

But, now I will answer the real question. Who is my favorite kid?

1. I love that he has a quest for knowledge. He loves to learn and ask questions.

2. He loves family and thoroughly enjoys visitors.

3. When he wants to understand something, it is all hands on deck until he does.

4. He has my personality.

5. He has red hair. All others are blond so this makes him different and special.

1. He is the most compassionate. He gave me a note yesterday because he knew I wasn’t feeling well. His note simply said, “I hope you feel better, Mommy!”

2. He is the most perceptive. Perhaps he is my people pleaser. He knows when I am tense and he rallies to troops to clean a room or act better.

3. He is a role model. He knows that the others respond when he is acting well. He takes this role seriously.

4. He practices. He is my only child who voluntarily practices his sports or activities to improve.

5. He gets it. You have some kids that don’t understand that we are all just trying to get through each day as best as we can. This guy does his best nearly every day!

1. This kid is smart. He learned to read and write on his own.

2. He is emotional. I am not emotional, but I can appreciate his deep love for things.

3. He smiles when he talks. When this kid is happy, he is very happy!

4. He will protect his sister. My only daughter is his twin. I know she will be watched over.

5. He tans well. I am jealous of this. In a family of fair people, this guy looks like a beach bum.

1. She is my only daughter and people say she looks like me.

2. She is a girlie girl who can hang with the boys. I might not like this in her teen age years.

3. She has an amazing imagination. She takes the term reuse to the next level. Watch out recycle bins! She is going to make something out of your contents!

4. Her eyes are crazy blue.

5. She has a wonderful smile and likes to cuddle.

1. He is my only singleton and I am enjoying having one on one time with him.

2. He has an amazing attention span. It might be longer than mine!

3. He is very independent. He will open the fridge, get his apple and go back outside to play with the rest of the kids. He used to walk around with a stool so that he was eye level with the other kids.

4. He doesn’t know he is younger than anybody else. He is limited by nothing.

5. He will always be the baby. We will always have that in common.

So you see, each of them IS my favorite. I can’t imagine life without each and every one of them. Your heart can love as much as it is asked to love. I learned this quickly!

I enjoy their differences. I enjoy their similarities. I enjoyed taking a moment to reflect on why each of them is my favorite. I have never done this before. My kids will read this and smile.

What makes each of your kids your favorite? Do they know?