Science backs up the fact that parents actually have a favorite child.

Here, an expert explains five ways to deal with the situation.

Were all grown adults, yet this debate has been ongoing for as long as I can remember.

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Experts in This Article

Laurie Kramer, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Illinois.

Sometimes, its the similarities that parents see between themselves and a particular child.

That said, being the favorite also comes with its fair share of corners.

Two people’s legs touch under a table as they work on their laptops.

Laurie Kramer, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Illinois.

But not all is lost.

Read on to learn five ways experts recommend dealing with parents who do, indeed, have a favorite.

5 ways to deal with your parent having a favorite child

1.

Books on grief are seen floating against a backdrop of clouds.

Cue: introspective practices likewriting in a journalandspending time alone.

Its not that youre doing something wrongits more so that your sibling needs a bit more attention.

By way of using I statements, youre not blaming your parent.

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Particularly as it concerns adults, we make our own decisionswhich means validation starts from within.

Its likely that at some point youll stop playing that sportwhich could make the pressure a lot less daunting.

Another important thing to note as it relates to parents and them having a favorite child?

Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, and Leslie Bibb in The White Lotus, symbolizing toxic friendships.

Laurie Kramer, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Illinois.

Not letting those issues affect your future life.

All these things that have happened in our families shape who we are, says Dr. Kramer.

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Courtesy Berkley Publishing