đź’” What it means to have grown up with sibling favoritism
Growing up with sibling favoritism meant becoming the "other" child—constantly measuring yourself against a sibling who seemed to effortlessly receive the love and attention you craved, while different rules and expectations applied to you.
You may have learned to watch your siblings carefully to understand what earned parental approval, trying to copy their behavior or differentiate yourself entirely. Your self-worth became defined in comparison to others, making it difficult to know your own value independent of how you measured up. The confusing double standards in your family felt impossible to question, leaving you wondering why the same behavior was praised in one child but criticized in another.
You might either compete intensely or avoid competition entirely—both responses to the same painful dynamic of differential treatment. At your core, you may believe there's a fundamental hierarchy to love, that some people are simply more lovable than others by nature. This creates a deep insecurity about not having what others might want, leaving you confused about whether love comes from who you are or what you can provide.