A clinical psychologist explains that the adult children who check on their aging parents most often aren't the favorites - they're usually the ones still hoping for a conversation they stopped expecting years ago - Silicon Canals

"The sibling who calls, who drives, who sorts the pill organizer, who sits in the waiting room while also being the waiting room, is rarely the one who was loved best."

"Inside the relationship, the math is entirely different. The dutiful one must be the close one. The attentive one must be the favorite."

"What they are auditioning for is a single conversation, a specific one, in which the parent finally sees them accurately."

In many families, the sibling who takes on responsibilities and maintains communication is often not the favored child. This dynamic leads to a continuous search for recognition from parents. The favored child has already received their emotional needs, while the other sibling feels a lack of acknowledgment. This pattern reflects a deeper emotional struggle, where the less favored sibling seeks validation through consistent efforts, hoping for a conversation that recognizes their experiences and feelings.

Read at Silicon Canals