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I feel like my parents prefer my sibling over me. What can I do?

22 Answers
Last Updated: 04/18/2017 at 9:53am
1 Tip to Feel Better
Canada
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I specialise in respectfully helping people navigate their way through trauma and relationship issues. The adversities in our life can actually transform us.

Top Rated Answers
HelpfulHand1
September 29th, 2015 3:25pm
If you feel like your parents prefer your siblings over you, I would suggest you talk to them about it. I personally had this issue for a while where I felt like I was never good enough for my dad's expectations. That I could never live up to what he wanted me to be and as such i felt he always prefered my sister over me. One day i snapped and took my frustration out on him which ended up in me and him talking it out. Don't let it go as far as I did.
Anonymous
September 21st, 2015 6:07am
i feel like my parents like my sister so much better then me.. and when i feel like that, i remind myself that my friends are just my chosen family and they love me unconditionally exactly how i am in this exact moment.
Anonymous
November 10th, 2014 6:05pm
I can remember that at the end of the day, they still love me. I've experienced this firsthand but over the years, i realised that i am still loved even though it is shown differently.
Charity0
November 2nd, 2014 2:58am
I understand how you feel as I have a mother with narcissistic tendancies who actually changes her voice when she talks to me into a deep monotone in comparison to when she talks in a bubbly and light manner to my brother. It is such an odd experience and as I know my father never had problems like this with us I understand that it shouldn't be something any siblings should experience at all. If you haven't already, I suggest trying to talk to your parents and telling them how you feel. They may not have meant it in the way that you recieved it and may be resolved with some good family conversation and hugs. If not, try to spend more quality time with your parents without your sibling after talking to your sibling about what you are trying to do and reaffirm a good bond with them.
HerforU2580
October 23rd, 2014 2:45pm
Why do you feel this way it must make you feel like an outsider why not ask your parents so that they can understand that you feel this way
Betti1996
October 26th, 2014 4:19pm
I'm sure they don't. You are their child, too so they love you as much as your sibling. I'm sorry because you feel this but believe me they love you, too just the way you are.
Anonymous
June 17th, 2015 3:40pm
If its instinct or not. Never mind thpse matter, because its either you'll end up bitter to your siblings or to your parents. I'm telling you it is unfair, unjustified and envious but those feelings were not meant for you. Be good to them even if you received less as and value yourself more, cause feeling unvalued yourself is far more worse.
TeaWithAFriend
November 9th, 2014 2:08am
You can do just about anything you want if you don't let your belief that your parents prefer your sibling over you stop you.
Anonymous
April 18th, 2017 9:53am
Sometimes we feel that way but I'm sure your parents loves you as equally as your other siblings. If you feel that way you can also try talk to them and let them know about what your going throw. This will make your relationship better and improve your communication with them. Remember always stay positive.
Anonymous
November 16th, 2014 5:54pm
Talk to them. Maybe they don't realise the situation by themselves! You can never know. Talking to them would make the situation clearer for you and your parents.
Rose96
September 29th, 2014 4:32am
I know it's very hard not to feel this way but you should not feel this way because you will always be their child. That will never change. Just because you feel a certain way, doesn't mean what your feeling is always correct.
Anonymous
June 17th, 2015 12:49pm
For parents all their children are equally same, it's possible they consider one of them more mature and don't express the same amount of love.
Rivielle
November 8th, 2014 3:49am
I do felt that my parents prefer my sibling but parents love is given equally. And maybe you can ask your parents about this issue. Just know that parents doesn't favor one child, it favors none. :) Good luck and Good day!
happyhelper3
October 25th, 2014 2:24pm
It's good to remember that they still love you and don't have to compete with your sibling to win them over.
Alychu8u
November 8th, 2014 2:37pm
reach out to your parents talk to them about it. a parents love is unconditional fr their child maybe you are perceiving things differently because you dont get as much attention it can be hard balancing more than one child it doesnt mean they love you any less or prefer them over you or you over them
PoliteOcean
September 7th, 2015 3:33am
You can talk to them about how you are feeling. Discuss with them the things that are bothering you. Good luck.
Uniqueg
October 23rd, 2014 9:13pm
Maybe you should have a family meeting and tell everyone how your feeling, they might not realize what their doing.
Anonymous
December 1st, 2015 3:12pm
That is how you are thinking. It might be wrong. In your parents eyes, every child of them have equal value. try to love them more, no matter what.
Anonymous
April 19th, 2016 5:29pm
Talk to your parents about this issue. They can help you fell much better about this issue and they will let you know their thinking on it.
Anonymous
June 6th, 2016 5:44am
You can sit down and talk with your parents about it. Tell them how you feel and what's going on from your perspective.
BooishMonkey
August 30th, 2016 4:39pm
Remember that even though you may not see it as much as you would like, they do love you. If you want them to show you more affection, try to be more affectionate with them. Make an effort to show them you care by doing little things like chores, making dinners, and helping out with any ongoing projects. Try and spend more one on one time with them so they have the opportunity to get to know you better.
aleph87
October 19th, 2014 11:15am
I'm sure that this is just a overstatement of you. But if you want to make sure yourself, you can talk to your parents and tell them your feelings. They'll tell you how much they love you.