People often assume that abusive people mistreat everyone, but some discriminate in their abuse. It’s what experts call the “Cinderella phenomenon,” which is when one child in a family is singled out and abused while other children are not.

Secondly, How do I stop hating my stepchild? Here are some things you can do to try to improve your experience and maybe even start to cultivate good feelings toward your stepchild:

  1. Create a vision for your life that includes your stepchild. …
  2. Address the behavior. …
  3. Don’t have regrets. …
  4. Find one endearing quality you can embrace. …
  5. Pretend you’re her.

Why do parents target one child?

“Parents may favor one child over another, for a lot of reasons. The child may have an easy temperament or might behave particularly well. They may look like you, or remind you of a favorite relative,” says Susan Newman, Ph.

Similarly, Why do parents neglect one child? A child makes a parent feel trauma, inadequacy or rage. They have the wrong father, or the wrong attitude. They are in the wrong place at the wrong time. “If a child is viewed as different, it may cause a negative reaction that would increase the likelihood of them being scapegoated in a family,” Wolfe said.

Why do some parents hate one child?

Sometimes, parents will dislike one of their children precisely because they remind them of themselves. The unfavored child may exhibit the same negative characteristics as their parents, reminding the latter of what they are trying to forget from their past.

Is it OK to not like your stepchild? Above all remember, you and your stepchildren may never develop a close relationship. And, that really is okay. You do not have to love or like your stepchildren for your stepfamily to be, and feel, successful; you just have to be a good-enough (step)parent.

How do you deal with toxic stepchildren? Here are some survival tips:

  1. Expect stepchildren to criticize you. There’s no way around it. …
  2. Expect them to watch you like a hawk. If you have marriage tension, they will notice it and magnify it in their own minds. …
  3. Stay true to yourself. Talk and act normally in front of them. …
  4. Keep “healthy distance” in the picture.

How do you deal with toxic step parents? 10 tips for coping with dysfunctional, alcoholic, or toxic parents

  1. Stop trying to please them. …
  2. Set and enforce boundaries. …
  3. Dont try to change them. …
  4. Be mindful of what you share with them. …
  5. Know your parents limitations and work around them — but only if you want to. …
  6. Always have an exit strategy.

Why do parents abuse their power?

Furthermore, parents can abuse their power by deciding what beliefs their child must follow. If a child grew up in a family that does not support a male and another male being together, they might not be friends with any of these people, and the child might think that they are not normal.

How do you deal with being the least favorite child? Coping Strategies for Adults Who Were Least Favorite Children

  1. Seek therapy to discover how your childhood experiences have affected you and your sense of self, what you want to accomplish, and to get help with achieving your goals.
  2. Tell your sibling how you feel. …
  3. Ask your sibling for what you want.

What to do if you are being scapegoated?

5 Steps to Stop Being the Family Scapegoat

  1. Only accept what is truly your responsibility. Allow them to take responsibility for what is theirs.
  2. Give yourself permission to step away. …
  3. Refrain from arguing. …
  4. Lean on your circle of support. …
  5. Remember compassion.

How do you know if your least favorite child? If you felt like the least favorite child as a kid, as an adult you might be experiencing:

  1. Anger and disappointment.
  2. Feeling less accomplished compared to your favored sibling.
  3. Being withdrawn from your sibling.
  4. Conflict with your sibling.

Why do moms treat you differently?

Parents often treat children differently for reasons based solely on qualities that are nobody’s fault. Factors like birth order, genes, gender, and more sometimes lead to bias. Potential reasons include: Birth order: Firstborn kids might get more attention and praise for being responsible and capable.

Does every parent have a favorite child?

Having a favourite child might be the greatest taboo of parenthood, yet research shows that the majority of parents do indeed have a favourite.

Why do parents love their first born more? They may take on the hopes and dreams of the parent, and may feel they have a sort of destiny to fulfill for them,” says Dr. Rubin. Having the mother’s undivided love and attention gives a firstborn child a strong sense of confidence, as they internalize their mother’s desire to see them succeed.

Which child is usually favorite? Most parents have a favourite child, and it’s probably the eldest, according to researchers. A study conducted at the University of California shows that out of 768 parents surveyed, 70 per cent of mothers and 74 per cent of fathers admitted to having a favourite child.

When should you leave for stepchild?

Your Stepchild Makes You Feel Unsafe

Your stepchild may be threatening to hurt you or might be causing your physical or emotional harm. If your stepchild’s behavior is enough to make you feel unsafe around them or afraid for your safety in your own home, protecting yourself by leaving may be your best option.

Who comes first in a blended family? In blended families, without the marriage or partnership there is no family at all. The couple is the only tie that brings the two families together into one. If that relationship falls apart, the entire family unit will separate as there is nothing that ties them together but the couple.

Is it normal to resent stepchildren?

In fact, it’s normal. Stepparents should not feel, or be made to feel, guilty for not instantly (or ever) loving their stepkids. When they do, that guilt – if ongoing and unaddressed – can morph over time into deep-seated resentment.

What are signs of a toxic mother? Here are nine signs of a toxic mother:

  • She Overreacts to Differences of Opinion. …
  • She Makes Excessive Demands of You. …
  • She Uses Manipulation to Get What She Wants. …
  • She Fails to Respect Your Boundaries. …
  • She Puts Down Your Accomplishments. …
  • She Hurts You With Her Words or Actions. …
  • She Refuses to Apologize. …
  • She Tries to Control You.


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