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“Golden Child” Gets Herself Forever Blacklisted From Friends’ Houses, Brother Teaches Her A Lesson
Even though favoritism is pretty common in families, it’s still an awful feeling to realize that your parents might prefer your sibling to you. They’re the proverbial golden child who can do nothing wrong. Meanwhile, you… well, you always seem to get the short end of the stick, don’t you?
Redditor u/MotorStraight8487, who constantly feels overshadowed by his younger sister, shared how she kept ‘claiming’ his gifts on Christmas and birthdays. So, to teach her a lesson, he decided to give her a taste of her own medicine on her birthday. However, this sparked massive drama in the family.
Check out the full story and the internet’s reactions below. Bored Panda has reached out to the author for further comment, and we’ll update the article as soon as we hear back from him.
RELATED:
It can be incredibly demotivating to learn that your parents prefer your sibling to you, letting them get away with practically anything
Image credits: Daniel Jurin / Pexels (not the actual photo)
One teen revealed how he’d had enough of his parents favoring his sister, so he finally decided to teach her a lesson using her own awful methods
Image credits: Nicole Michalou / Pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: MotorStraight8487
Image credits: Ketut Subiyanto / Pexels (not the actual photo)
The reality is that, in most families, parents have a (secret) favorite child. This is awful for the second-best kid’s mental health
The BBC reports that parental favoritism occurs in around two-thirds (65%) of families across many different cultures. It can be detrimental to kids’ wellbeing, leading to emotional problems, following them into adulthood as well.
“It is the experience that people have, that a parent prefers another child to them. This could be by devoting more time, attention, praise, or affection. Possibly asserting less control, so that they may enjoy fewer restrictions, be subject to less discipline, or even punishment,” explains Laurie Kramer, a professor of applied psychology at Northeastern University.
According to research, when you feel like you’re treated less warmly than your siblings, it can lead to:
- Lower self-esteem;
- Childhood anxiety;
- Depression;
- Behavioral problems, such as risky behavior.
Meanwhile, parental favoritism also seems to be a predictor of mobile phone addiction among teenagers. And favoritism of other siblings can lead to deteriorating family relationships.
Based on research published by the American Psychological Association, it’s very likely that your parents secretly had a favorite child. Broadly speaking, parents are more inclined to see their daughters as their favorites, as well as kids who are more agreeable and conscientious.
“For decades, researchers have known that differential treatment from parents can have lasting consequences for children.” Lead author Alexander Jensen, PhD, an associate professor at Brigham Young University, said that this favoritism can have upsides and downsides.
Image credits: Kindel Media / Pexels (not the actual photo)
Parents may tend to play favorites based on their kids’ temperament
Children who were more responsible and organized seemed to be treated more favorably by their parents. This may in part be due to the fact that these kids are easier to manage. Plus, their responses can be more positive.
Meanwhile, parents were more likely to give older siblings more autonomy, as they tend to be more mature.
Kids who got less preferential treatment tended to have more strained family relationships and poorer mental health.
“Understanding these nuances can help parents and clinicians recognize potentially damaging family patterns. It is crucial to ensure all children feel loved and supported,” Jensen warned.
“It is important to note that this research is correlational, so it doesn’t tell us why parents favor certain children. However, it does highlight potential areas where parents may need to be more mindful of their interactions with their children,” the researcher said.
“So, the next time you’re left wondering whether your sibling is the golden child, remember there is likely more going on behind the scenes than just a preference for the eldest or youngest. It might be about responsibility, temperament, or just how easy or hard you are to deal with.”
What would you have done if you were in the teenager’s shoes and your sister constantly kept ‘claiming’ gifts meant for you? Have you ever felt like you were your parents’ favorite child, or were you always second-best to your brothers and sisters? Or did your parents give you and your siblings the same amount of warmth and attention?
If there are any parents reading this, what do you do to avoid favoritism among your kids? Let us know in the comments below.
As the story started to go viral, the teen began sharing more context about his family life
The vast majority of readers were on the author’s side. Here’s their perspective on the family drama
There was literally just one person online who thought that the teenager was in the wrong. Here’s their unpopular take
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What do you think ?
Orysha 7 months ago
The YTA must be one of the parents. If this is real, OP needs to escape as fas as he can and go no contact with all of them.
KatSaidWhat 7 months ago
Of course there is a YTA lurking. Nah, bro, you take your presents and every time your parents and/or sister moan, keep bringing up every birthday and xmas until they finally acknowledge the favouritism. As others said, have an exit strategy. Let reality bite them when you leave the house.
Lara Verne 7 months ago
She 15, way too old to not understand social cues and appropriate behaviour. So she must realize what's going on. Parents know it, bet refuse to acknowledge it.
Ellen Townsend 7 months ago
It looks like her parents taught her that social cues and appropriate behavior are not to be applied to their little princess.
Load More Replies...
Dirk Daring 7 months ago
The parents are using "It was the thought that counts" completely wrong. Imagine if I told you, "Hey, I was thinking about giving you $10,000." Then when you start saying thank you, I'm like. "Oh, I'm not actually going to give you the money. I was just thinking about it. Isn't that a nice thought? Where's the gratitude?"
Vinnie 7 months ago
"It's the thought that counts" is more valid when the gifter has actually made an effort.
Load More Replies...
geraldrboyle@aol.com 7 months ago
God help anyone who marries your sister once she is of age. I doubt that your sister would ever look after her parents in later life.
Seedy Vine 7 months ago
YTA sounds like a sad, pathetic bullying thief. OP it's gonna be funny when your parents age and need help and you let the golden child take care of them. Go no contact and get into therapy when you can!
Lee Gilliland 7 months ago
It's posts like these that make me want to tear my hair out. These guys are ruining their child's life and there's no way to actively step in.
Tabitha 7 months ago
I sure hope there are grandparents or an aunt/uncle who see right through OP’s parents’ horseshit, and who takes OP in, so he can go to college without dealing with that c**p.
Load More Replies...
Paul C 7 months ago
Sadly, I grew up in a family where my sister peed golden rainbows and wore a halo. I can only suggest the OP puts distance between himself and his family. I've come to realise that was their problem, not mine for not being good enough, though it probably took me 50 years to realise that. Enough experience can bring some wisdom.
Tabitha 7 months ago (edited)
Me to parents: Well, you’re even older than I am, and you sure don’t know any better, do you?
Load More Replies...
Crystalwitch60 7 months ago
YTA idiot ! plz don’t have kids , op if your in the USA , from 14 you can become emancipated from your parents, I’d be leaving home like yesterday, what ever the f u k your bloody parents are on, I don’t want any omg , n your sister is now a monster of their making , n I kinda feel sorry for her in a few yrs when she’s in THE REAL WORLD !! wow that’s gonna be a bloody long way to fall from grace and it will happen , soon as she gets a real job in the real world, I’d love to be a fly on that wall I gotta say , op NTA n you defo need out that toxic house asap , n being grounded at 17 wtf ,I’ve got two kids in early 20,s n tbh I don’t think I ever grounded them I didn’t need to , cos I bought them up properly , your parents are destroying your sisters life and yours in the process of doing so , please find a way to get out the house ,keep us updated please x
KatSaidWhat 7 months ago
I got grounded aged 17. Was I a f*****g stupid idiot who went with a friend into central johannesburg at night thinking we could get into bars/clubs despite looking 12? Yes. Did we have to get out of a dangerous situation that night? Yes. Were we dumb? Yes. I deserved that grounding. It was however the first and only time I had been grounded.
Load More Replies...
barbara Nivens 7 months ago
Leave as soon as you hit 18 and go no contact. Not a dime, not a text, call or email. Tell everyone you know that they are to know nothing about you. Ever. I'm so sorry that you have such a*****e parents. Get therapy as soon as possible. Until then keep a journal and write your feelings, desires and decisions out/down. Live your best life as revenge and for yourself. Smile imagining them living with her and her kids, from different daddies, in her 30s.
Kate Johnson 7 months ago (edited)
The only thing you can do is work and try to escape asap. If you have any other family that can help, do so. If they become more a*****e, report them to CPS, suggesting there might be an unsavory reason they are spoiling her and abusing you.
michael Chock 7 months ago
Reminds me when I was assistant manager in fast food. I was only one that did closing checklist. Manager asked why it took so long to close. My reply was that no one else did checklist and she didn't ever check their closes the next morning, told her it was a double standard. She said of course it was, because my position was management. 🙄. After quitting, found out when I wasn't closing they turned off all the lights 3 hours early and pretended to be closed so they could clean and leave right at closing. Training people that there is double standards does not end well.
BrownEyedPanda 7 months ago
I have NEVER seen or read a happy ending to stories about favoritism in families. It has always backfired in the worst way, and at the worst points in time. OP'S parents are raising an entitled monster. Never mind not getting a job or flunking out the first semester of college; there are far worse fates awaiting her. She's going to pull her little number with the wrong person or persons. Instead of planning yet another celebration for their daughter, OP'S parents may end up identifying her body at the morgue and planning her funeral. That, or visiting her the first Sunday of every month. The best thing OP can do is keep studying, squirrel his money away in a bank account his parents can't access, apply for scholarships and grants, and get out at 18. That household is burning down; no point in OP getting trapped in the ensuing inferno.
tori Ohno 7 months ago
This has got to be fake. How can they not see that even the parents of her (ex) friends have ostracized her?
Sebedie 7 months ago
I'm sorry to be "that commenter", but you come across as lacking A LOT of awareness to even ask that question and suggest that this is probably a fake story. For what my own experience in life might be/not worth, this is not uncommon... a little one sided (the story I'm referring to) from a perspective point of view obviously... but very very believable as I've seen more than a few family dynamics of the same ilk.
Load More Replies... Orysha 7 months ago
The YTA must be one of the parents. If this is real, OP needs to escape as fas as he can and go no contact with all of them.
KatSaidWhat 7 months ago
Of course there is a YTA lurking. Nah, bro, you take your presents and every time your parents and/or sister moan, keep bringing up every birthday and xmas until they finally acknowledge the favouritism. As others said, have an exit strategy. Let reality bite them when you leave the house.
Lara Verne 7 months ago
She 15, way too old to not understand social cues and appropriate behaviour. So she must realize what's going on. Parents know it, bet refuse to acknowledge it.
Ellen Townsend 7 months ago
It looks like her parents taught her that social cues and appropriate behavior are not to be applied to their little princess.
Load More Replies... Dirk Daring 7 months ago
The parents are using "It was the thought that counts" completely wrong. Imagine if I told you, "Hey, I was thinking about giving you $10,000." Then when you start saying thank you, I'm like. "Oh, I'm not actually going to give you the money. I was just thinking about it. Isn't that a nice thought? Where's the gratitude?"
Vinnie 7 months ago
"It's the thought that counts" is more valid when the gifter has actually made an effort.
Load More Replies... geraldrboyle@aol.com 7 months ago
God help anyone who marries your sister once she is of age. I doubt that your sister would ever look after her parents in later life.
Seedy Vine 7 months ago
YTA sounds like a sad, pathetic bullying thief. OP it's gonna be funny when your parents age and need help and you let the golden child take care of them. Go no contact and get into therapy when you can!
Lee Gilliland 7 months ago
It's posts like these that make me want to tear my hair out. These guys are ruining their child's life and there's no way to actively step in.
Tabitha 7 months ago
I sure hope there are grandparents or an aunt/uncle who see right through OP’s parents’ horseshit, and who takes OP in, so he can go to college without dealing with that c**p.
Load More Replies... Paul C 7 months ago
Sadly, I grew up in a family where my sister peed golden rainbows and wore a halo. I can only suggest the OP puts distance between himself and his family. I've come to realise that was their problem, not mine for not being good enough, though it probably took me 50 years to realise that. Enough experience can bring some wisdom.
Tabitha 7 months ago (edited)
Me to parents: Well, you’re even older than I am, and you sure don’t know any better, do you?
Load More Replies... Crystalwitch60 7 months ago
YTA idiot ! plz don’t have kids , op if your in the USA , from 14 you can become emancipated from your parents, I’d be leaving home like yesterday, what ever the f u k your bloody parents are on, I don’t want any omg , n your sister is now a monster of their making , n I kinda feel sorry for her in a few yrs when she’s in THE REAL WORLD !! wow that’s gonna be a bloody long way to fall from grace and it will happen , soon as she gets a real job in the real world, I’d love to be a fly on that wall I gotta say , op NTA n you defo need out that toxic house asap , n being grounded at 17 wtf ,I’ve got two kids in early 20,s n tbh I don’t think I ever grounded them I didn’t need to , cos I bought them up properly , your parents are destroying your sisters life and yours in the process of doing so , please find a way to get out the house ,keep us updated please x
KatSaidWhat 7 months ago
I got grounded aged 17. Was I a f*****g stupid idiot who went with a friend into central johannesburg at night thinking we could get into bars/clubs despite looking 12? Yes. Did we have to get out of a dangerous situation that night? Yes. Were we dumb? Yes. I deserved that grounding. It was however the first and only time I had been grounded.
Load More Replies... barbara Nivens 7 months ago
Leave as soon as you hit 18 and go no contact. Not a dime, not a text, call or email. Tell everyone you know that they are to know nothing about you. Ever. I'm so sorry that you have such a*****e parents. Get therapy as soon as possible. Until then keep a journal and write your feelings, desires and decisions out/down. Live your best life as revenge and for yourself. Smile imagining them living with her and her kids, from different daddies, in her 30s.
Kate Johnson 7 months ago (edited)
The only thing you can do is work and try to escape asap. If you have any other family that can help, do so. If they become more a*****e, report them to CPS, suggesting there might be an unsavory reason they are spoiling her and abusing you.
michael Chock 7 months ago
Reminds me when I was assistant manager in fast food. I was only one that did closing checklist. Manager asked why it took so long to close. My reply was that no one else did checklist and she didn't ever check their closes the next morning, told her it was a double standard. She said of course it was, because my position was management. 🙄. After quitting, found out when I wasn't closing they turned off all the lights 3 hours early and pretended to be closed so they could clean and leave right at closing. Training people that there is double standards does not end well.
BrownEyedPanda 7 months ago
I have NEVER seen or read a happy ending to stories about favoritism in families. It has always backfired in the worst way, and at the worst points in time. OP'S parents are raising an entitled monster. Never mind not getting a job or flunking out the first semester of college; there are far worse fates awaiting her. She's going to pull her little number with the wrong person or persons. Instead of planning yet another celebration for their daughter, OP'S parents may end up identifying her body at the morgue and planning her funeral. That, or visiting her the first Sunday of every month. The best thing OP can do is keep studying, squirrel his money away in a bank account his parents can't access, apply for scholarships and grants, and get out at 18. That household is burning down; no point in OP getting trapped in the ensuing inferno.
tori Ohno 7 months ago
This has got to be fake. How can they not see that even the parents of her (ex) friends have ostracized her?
Sebedie 7 months ago
I'm sorry to be "that commenter", but you come across as lacking A LOT of awareness to even ask that question and suggest that this is probably a fake story. For what my own experience in life might be/not worth, this is not uncommon... a little one sided (the story I'm referring to) from a perspective point of view obviously... but very very believable as I've seen more than a few family dynamics of the same ilk.
Load More Replies... You May Like Man Warns Wife That A Gift From Her Mom Is Dangerous, 5 Days Later She Ends Up In The Hospital “Cancelled His Passport”: 50 Hilarious, Petty And Ridiculous Things People Did After A Breakup Husband Assumes Wife Will Be Nanny To His Daughter While He Goes To The Gym Every Day
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