Topic: Favouritism
“…Provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” -Ephesians 6:4-
Most parents might not admit to the fact that they are prone to favour one child more than another. Children can easily sense when you have a favourite in the way you speak, what you do, and how you give instructions, amongst other things. You hear statements like, “Why can’t you be more like your brother or sister”, as the case may be. Mothers especially tend to say, “if this particular child were here, he/she would have done this or that”.
It is true that some children are most active in some areas than the others; notwithstanding, there should be no need to have a favourite. Families where it is clear that a parent favours one child more than the other are prone to have dysfunctions. A particular child might feel unloved or uncared for, and as a result might decide to be rebellious.
Rebellion in children cannot only be ascertained to stubbornness, but may also be caused by lack of attention; especially when all of the attention is given to someone or something else, other than that child. As parents, you should know that children differ in reasoning and temperament, and as such will handle situations differently.
Favouritism brings disunity, lack of trust, and separation in the home. Children that are affected are open to the ills within the society as they begin to seek the love they missed within their homes. Majority of times, this leads them into the wrong hands. So, the next time you think child A is doing better than child B and as such, deserves to be rewarded with more attention, consider the future of these children and how your actions of today may affect them negatively tomorrow. You will not miss it in the name of Jesus!
Remain Blessed!