Children often form strong attachments to one parent over the other due to personality compatibility, emotional availability, or a phase in development. These preferences may manifest as a child seeking out only one parent for comfort, advice, or companionship more than the other.
For the preferred parent, while this can feel validating, it also comes with added responsibility and sometimes a feeling of being overwhelmed or burnt out. For the non-preferred parent, feelings of rejection, frustration, or inadequacy may arise, potentially impacting their self-esteem and relationship with the child and partner.
Oftentimes, creating even more of an imbalance in the dynamic between parent and child or between parents as partners.
Parenting is a challenging and rewarding journey, but it comes with its unique complexities, including family dynamics that evolve over time. One such dynamic is the concept of the “preferred parent.”
Read my article on TOI website.