If a child starts hating a parent, then understand that you are doing something wrong

children’s perspective

According to John Bowlby’s famous “Attachment Theory,” children want to be near their caregivers for security. This is a normal part of emotional development. his/her theory suggests that children’s early relationships play a critical role in their emotional and social development.

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The effect of age on development

As a child develops, his/her or her perception of the world changes. Young children are often attracted to the parent who spends more time with them. Older children, on the other hand, may develop preferences based on similar interests or personalities. A study published in the “Journal of Marriage and Family” showed that children’s preferences can change from one parent to another during different developmental stages.

It is not just about time spent together but quality time is also important.

Should there be competition between parents

As surprising as it may sound, a little healthy competition between parents can be beneficial. It encourages both to improve their parenting skills, ensuring the child gets the best from both parents. A study published in the “Journal of Marriage and Family” showed that healthy competition between parents produces positive outcomes for children and increases their sense of accomplishment.

Signs of unhealthy favoritism

If your child likes one parent and misbehaves with you, you can understand this by some signs. These signs include keeping one parent away from every activity, behaving disrespectfully with the parent and getting stressed when the favorite parent is not around.

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What to do

Parenting comes with its own challenges and one of them is being a favorite parent. It is not necessary for you to be on your child’s favorite list, but both parents should focus on creating a happy and supportive environment for their child.

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