Man Can’t Take His Wife’s Favoritism Anymore, Takes The Neglected Daughter With Himself And Moves Out

Ask any parent, and they’ll tell you that they love each of their children equally. Regardless of gender, the child’s interests and where they fall in the birth order, parents have room in their hearts for all of their little ones. Well, they should. 

One concerned father recently reached out to Mumsnet for advice after becoming fed up with the favoritism his wife has shown towards their youngest daughter. Below, you’ll find all of the details, as well as some of the replies invested readers shared.

Parents are expected to love each of their children equally

Family moment with mom showing love to girly daughter while dad holds the other child in a cozy home setting.

Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)

But when this father noticed the blatant favoritism his wife was showing towards their youngest, he had to speak up

Text message screenshot discussing a dad moving out due to mom loving their girly daughter more than the other.

Two daughters with different interests, mom loves girly daughter more, dad struggles and removes the other from home.

Text excerpt discussing a mom loving her girly youngest daughter more, and dad struggling with family dynamics.

Text describing mom loving girly daughter more while dad struggles and removes the other child from the home.

Text excerpt discussing parental favoritism and lack of attention toward the eldest child in a family conflict.

Text message about mom favoring youngest daughter with a bunny, dad upset over unequal treatment of daughters at home

Father embracing his young daughter indoors, highlighting family dynamics and emotional moments in the home environment.

Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt showing a girl feeling unloved by mom who favors her girly sister, causing family tension and dad’s reaction.

Text excerpt describing a family conflict where dad feels mom loves girly daughter more and leaves home with eldest child.

Text discussing a father removing his child from home due to mom loving girly daughter more and comparisons causing hurt feelings.

Text message expressing father's frustration as mom loves girly daughter more, leading dad to consider removing other child from home.

Worried dad struggles with mom’s favoritism towards girly daughter, leading to family tension and removal from home.

Image credits: George805

40% of Americans who have siblings believe that their parents have a favorite child

Mom lovingly whispers to her girly daughter, sharing a joyful moment on a cozy bed at home.

Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)

According to a recent meta-analysis by researchers at Brigham Young University looking into preferential treatment parents can show towards their children, plenty of mothers and fathers tend to favor one child, even if they don’t realize it. 

The researchers found that “agreeable or conscientious children tend to be favored,” and first-born children are often given more freedom and autonomy. Girls tend to be favored over boys as well, possibly because they’re often easier to parent, the researchers surmised. 

The Institute for Family Studies also reports that 40% of Americans who grew up with siblings believe that their parents had a favorite child. Women are more likely to feel this way, as 45% say their parents showed favoritism towards one of their siblings. And children of divorce are even more likely to believe that their parents had a favorite, as 51% feel this way. 

As far as who is typically the favorite, one third of men believe that they were Mom and Dad’s golden child, while only 23% of women think they were the favorite. Youngest children are more likely to believe that they were their parents’ favorite, while middle children are the least likely to feel this way.

While many parents undoubtedly have no idea that their children believe they’re playing favorites, that doesn’t minimize the impact that this preferential treatment can have on kids from a young age. The Toledo Parent notes that showing favoritism towards one child can breed unhealthy sibling rivalry.

Less-favored siblings may feel the need to compete with their siblings for attention, and they might begin to take out their frustration with their parents on their brother or sister. They can become jealous, and may view their sibling as their enemy. They might even feel the need to undermine the golden child in an attempt to make them feel incapable and inadequate.

Parental favoritism can impact children for the rest of their lives

Two girls sitting by a window holding stuffed animals, illustrating a family dynamic with a girly daughter favored by mom.

Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)

At the same time, the favored sibling might develop a sense of entitlement after receiving special treatment for years. They might believe that they’re exempt from certain rules or that they deserve more than their siblings. Meanwhile, their brothers and sisters might develop insecurities from always being treated like second-class siblings.        

The favorite child may develop an over reliance on validation, and they might not know how to function without being praised constantly. This praise can also do them a disservice if it means their parents are putting increased pressure and expectations onto them.

Barbara Greenberg, PhD, notes in a piece for Psychology Today that it’s not uncommon for parents to have a favorite child, whether they realize it or not. But this becomes a problem is when the children become cognizant of the fact that they’re not being treated equally. 

So how can we prevent favoritism from negatively impacting our families? East Lake Pediatrics recommends rotating special privileges, so each child gets to enjoy them equally. It’s also a good idea for parents to praise each child’s individual strengths, rather than ever comparing them to their siblings.

There should be consistent rules in the household for all siblings to follow, and kids should be taught that fairness doesn’t always mean identical treatment. And if one child begins to feel like they’re being treated unfairly, they should feel comfortable bringing their concerns up to their parents, rather than stewing in silence.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation in the comments below, pandas. Do you think this father was right to remove his eldest daughter from her mother? Feel free to weigh in, and then, you can find another Bored Panda article discussing similar issues right here.   

Readers wanted some more information, so the dad joined in on the conversation in the comments

Screenshot of an online discussion about family issues where dad removes one child from the home over conflicts with a girly daughter.

Text conversation about moving to grandparents’ house and confusion involving mom, dad, and girly daughter in family dynamics.

Online forum conversation about family conflict where mom favors girly daughter, dad struggles and removes other child.

Text excerpt showing a dad worried about mom loving girly daughter more, leading to family conflicts and mental health concerns.

Commenters discuss mom loving girly daughter more while dad struggles and removes the other child from home.

Many shared sympathy for the father and assured him that he was doing the right thing by protecting his eldest daughter

Comment discussing family conflict involving favoritism, with emphasis on mom loving girly daughter more and dad removing the other child.

Comment about mom loving girly daughter more and dad removing other child due to family custody conflict.

Text excerpt discussing family therapy and custody concerns amid a dad removing one child from the home.

Text excerpt from a discussion about a golden child being harmed by parental treatment, related to family dynamics involving mom, dad, and daughters.

Comment about a mom loving her girly daughter more, causing dad to struggle and remove the other child from home.

Comment expressing a wish for a dad to support a daughter favored by mom, highlighting family tension and fairness.

Comment discussing a difficult family situation where mom loves girly daughter more and dad removes the other child from the home.

Text highlighting a family conflict involving mom favoring girly daughter and dad deciding to remove the other child from home.

Comment discussing mom loving girly daughter more causing dad to remove the other child from the home

Text post discussing concerns about parental alienation and therapy for daughters in family disputes involving mom’s favoritism and dad’s response.

Text post discussing family dynamics where mom favors girly daughter, and dad removes the other child from the home.

Text excerpt from online forum post about custody issues, discussing mom loving girly daughter and dad removing other child from home.

Comment discussing challenges of custody and family dynamics involving mom, dad, girly daughter, and youngest child.

Comment praising a dad for prioritizing his eldest daughter amid difficult family dynamics involving a girly daughter.

Alt text: Parent-child conflict over mom loving girly daughter more leads to dad removing the other child from home.

Dad building a toy with his girly daughter in a bright room, highlighting family bonding and parenting moments.

Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)

Later, the father shared a brief update on his situation

Text message explaining a father deciding to live with parents with eldest daughter after family conflict over favoritism.

Text about dad struggling with mom loving girly daughter more and differences in dressing youngest daughter in children's clothing.

Alt text: Parent explains favoring girly daughter and protecting her, causing dad to remove the other child from home.

Text expressing regret about family issues, mentioning mom’s favoritism toward girly daughter and dad removing the other child.

Text discussing a father leaving the house with his child, highlighting issues of custody and parental conflict.

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