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Alright, buckle up! Today, we’re diving into some super real, sometimes weird, and always surprising stories from parents who aren’t exactly winning any "Parents of the Year" awards. Sometimes kids drive parents a bit nuts, and these tales show the messy, funny, and honest side of that.
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My mom had seven kids and she really didn’t like the girls much. Boys were her favorites, and guess what? The girls grew up into strong feminists who don’t want kids. Maybe not the plan, but hey, it shows what love (or the lack of it) can do. Unloved kids grow up feeling unloved. Just saying.
My mom had a brain injury after an accident, and she totally changed. From loving to… well, the complete opposite. She became a narcissist and made me her target. Therapy? Tried it. Doctors? Say it’s a side effect of her injury. So here we are.
Not a parent, but the kid here. My mom resents me, and honestly, I don’t like her much either.
She had me from a wild one-night stand (not with my dad!) and grew up in a strict family. Some relatives won’t even talk to me because I was born out of wedlock. Plus, she battled depression and seems to blame me for a lot of her pain, especially since I bounced back from those same struggles and made it to college.
So yeah, I knew I was her “different” kid before I even met my real dad.
Family stuff gets messy.
Parenting’s not just a walk in the park - it’s a full-on emotional rollercoaster where you give up sleep, your personal space, and yep, sometimes your sanity. So when your kid throws a fit after all your hard work? That sting of feeling unappreciated? Totally normal, and definitely not a sign you’re a bad parent. Just human.
Sometimes resentment sneaks in when our dreams don’t match reality. Like expecting your kid to be a math whiz because you were, and then - surprise! - they’re into something totally different. Guess what? That’s okay - they’re their own little person, and math isn’t for everyone.
My mom hates me just because I was born male. She wanted a girl, and apparently, that’s all it took to make her turn against me.
I love my kids, but my mom never liked me. It’s a mystery, but I think her strict Mormon ways and my refusal to accept that as a kid played a part. We barely talk. When we do, it’s mostly gossip or sad stories - pretty toxic vibe, honestly.
Hate? No. But sadness and disappointment? Yeah, that hits home.
My parents have zero empathy - probably because of their traumatic pasts - and it seems I inherited none either. But one of my kids does share that lack of empathy, so it’s like a painful family trait being passed on.
And hey, sometimes it’s not even about the kid. Sometimes we’re carrying old baggage that spills over. Maybe past hurts make us react harder than we’d like. When that happens, it’s okay to pause and take a breath. Healing starts with us.
I love my two boys. One’s a smart, funny 14-year-old who’s mostly chill. The other? A 16-year-old pain in the neck - totally self-centered, lies like a pro, blames everyone but himself, and treats us like trash.
He’s got some issues and therapy helps, but man, when he’s being a jerk, I really don’t like him. I try to be the grown-up, but some days are just rough parenting.
Doing my best with the hand I was dealt and hoping he grows up someday.
I don’t like my stepson much - and honestly, I feel bad about it. He’s the kinda kid I hated growing up: mouthy, stubborn, thinks he’s smarter than adults but clearly isn’t.
I tried to help him with school, but he kept cheating and hiding homework. His mom defends him, so it’s a 2v1 battle.
Eventually, I just gave up. I fake mild affection for his mom’s sake because ain’t nobody winning if I don’t. Counting days till he moves out. At least he’s good at fooling people.
Not a parent, but I’m definitely the resented kid here.
My mom struggled with conceiving and wanted a perfect little ‘princess’ to share her girly stuff. I ended up more tomboy than princess and closer to my brother in interests.
She favored my brother like he was Mr. Darcy. Got him all the support and cash while I scraped by on nothing.
Love her? Sure. Like me? Nope. Unequal treatment teaches hard lessons.
Kiddos also have their ‘mood swing’ superpower, aka adolescence. One minute they’re angels, the next they’re door-slammers with an attitude that pops out of nowhere. It’s not personal - it’s just growing pains. Keeping that in mind can save us from going haywire.
My almost-30 daughter is a full-on drama queen and narcissist. I tried love, therapy, everything, but all she wants is fights and chaos.
I’ve only seen my granddaughter twice when she needed money.
I recently had traumatic brain damage, and she’s gone cold. I don’t hate her - love hurts sometimes.
Where did I go wrong? Who knows. But man, this pain stings.
I love my son, but I admit sometimes I feel resentful. He was diagnosed with autism after years of wondering why he was so independent and distant.
He doesn’t talk like other kids, can’t chat about school or feelings, and that breaks my heart.
It’s like planning a trip to Paris only to land in Rome. Rome’s great, but it’s not Paris.
Sometimes, loving him means wrestling with my own broken expectations.
My brother’s a jerk with anger and mood swings, lives at home, steals and disrespects everyone.
Parents tried everything for years - doctors, therapy - but now they just don’t care.
He’s medicated and mostly stable, but still a pain. My parents are at their breaking point, probably because their best years were supposed to be relaxing.
Carrying around anger is like lugging bricks in your backpack for no reason. Drop that weight! It doesn’t make you a saint, just a smart human who deserves a break. When resentment steps aside, peace strolls in - fewer yells, more chill mornings.
I resent my son sometimes. I had him young and his dad only became a dad when the kid was 4.
Dad bribes him with toys but never follows through on promises. Meanwhile, my husband (the stepdad) supports us both and gets the blame from my son.
Dad’s shady work tactics and broken promises add to the mix. My son’s attitude is a handful, but we try to remember it’s Dad making himself look good.
I have three stepkids, and yep, I have favorites (don’t judge!). My youngest stepdaughter is adorable and sweet. The middle boy is curious and a bit needy. But the oldest? Total nightmare.
He’s got rage, he’s messy, he’s mean to his brother, and is just a big pain. He can be clever and funny when he wants, but often chooses to be the jerk.
Loving them all but dreading his negativity - it’s a challenge.
Dad here. Love my preschool son the most.
Sure, sometimes when he’s being a terror, I miss the child-free days.
But no way do I resent him. We chose this chaos, and I try my best.
Biggest worry? That someday he might resent me. Let’s hope not!
Letting go of resentment isn’t just good for your mood - it even helps you sleep better! Plus, when you drop the grudge, you actually start to see the kiddo underneath all the chaos. That’s when you get the good stuff: quick chats that feel like a hug, laughs that land just right.
Mom straight up told me she didn’t like me as a kid. Not because I was bad, but just because.
I knew it at 5 and pretended not to care, but it hurt.
Later, she explained she was depressed after I was born, and only felt love for my brother.
We’ve built a friendship now, but things are different. If you don’t like your kid, keep it secret - they don’t deserve to know.
I don’t have kids, but my boyfriend’s do - and wow, sometimes they’re so selfish it drives me nuts.
Used to freedom and self-care, having these self-centered little humans around is a big adjustment.
If they were mine, would I feel the same? Sometimes, yeah.
Dad favors my sister ’cause she's more like him. Mom’s stricter with me due to my health issues but still favors my sister and my older brother.
They love me because I’m low maintenance compared to my siblings’ drama.
I’m chill with not being the favorite - it’s less drama for me.
When peace shows up, those little moments shine brighter: bedtime giggles, surprise hugs, or a goofy drawing just for you. That joy? It’s the magic that makes the tough days worthwhile. So start by saying it out loud - “I’m tired,” or “that hurt.” Owning your feelings is the first step to feeling better.
One of my daughters can totally tell I favor her sister, and yeah, I do.
My dad barely tolerated me and loved my sister, which messes with me.
Now I’m trying to bond with the daughter I favor less by sharing hobbies, hoping we’ll get closer.
Sometimes you just have to improvise.
My dad totally favors me because I’m a boy and share his hobbies.
I kinda resent having to remind him my sister deserves some credit too.
She actually accomplishes a lot more, but gets way less attention.
Mom got divorced after I was born and I was probably her last gasping attempt to save things.
She married a guy my siblings and I hated.
He didn’t like me either, and that pile of resentment crashed into our lives.
Later I found out he cheated, I told her, and she believed him over me.
Boundaries aren’t just rules; they’re lifelines. Telling your kid, "Hey, I need a minute," isn’t selfish - it’s smart. It teaches them respect and helps everyone get along better.
Mom doesn’t like me much, even though she loves me.
She never wanted kids but managed to raise me.
We’re different in every way, so we don’t really mesh.
She wishes I were more like her. I try to get along, but it’s tough.
My older brother got diagnosed with ADHD early, so he got pampered and taken easy on.
I didn’t have it, so my parents expected a lot more from me.
It created tension, and I always felt like the less-appreciated sibling.
Family loves us both, but there’s no denying who got the special treatment.
Got two kids, ages 4 and 6, who both drive me nuts sometimes.
They outsmart me, challenge every rule, and can team up against me and my wife.
But they’re awesome most of the time, which totally makes up for it.
You don’t always have to LIKE your kids to love ’em.
Honesty goes a long way. Even if the convo gets messy, showing your kid you respect them enough to be real is gold. And if the load feels too heavy, don’t be shy about getting some backup - talking it out really helps.
I think my stepdad favorites me over his two daughters.
They lived with his ex and visit a lot, but I’m the one he raised from age one.
He holds me to higher standards, cries when I’m down, and is always there for me.
Maybe that’s love showing, even if it comes with high expectations.
I have 2 grown daughters. One was always mouthy and willful; the other calm and analytical.
Now, they’re growing into adults more amazing than me (no jokes, seriously).
The younger ones will take over one day, and I’m almost ready to admit I’m “growing down”.
I trust their choices, quirks and all.
Heard I’m Dad’s favorite because I’m smart and quick in math and tech.
Thing is, he’s terrible at parenting - critical, scary, and mean.
Stopped talking to him last year because the volatility’s too much.
Mom’s closer to me and my sister, but loves us both in different ways.
These candid tales shine a flashlight on the not-so-glam side of parenting we rarely talk about. Some are tough to hear, but all remind us we’re not alone. Seen anything that made you go, “Yup, I feel that?” That’s your sign to share your story, too.
My parent made it super clear who their favorite was (spoiler: not me).
Most parents probably feel this way but don’t admit it.
I respect them for not pretending, even if it hurt.
No relationship now, but at least I don’t have to live the lie.
Not my kid, but I actively dislike my boyfriend’s 2-year-old nephew.
He’s a bratty grunter who tries to hurt people on purpose, even his baby brother.
Most kids are cute little rascals, but this one’s creepy and mean.
Normally I love kids, but nope, this guy’s an exception.
Mom definitely preferred me over my older sister.
As a teen, my sister tried to one-up me academically but failed.
She’s resentful now, and I don’t talk to her because she’s just a mess.
Being the favorite isn’t always fun - sometimes it comes with a lot of baggage.
My mom loves me, but she doesn’t like me.
I’ve made choices opposite of hers, which caused a rift.
I want a mom who wants me; she wants a daughter without blame.
I blame her sometimes, and that hurts.
Being the kid in this mess? It cuts deep.
My brother’s son (3) is way cooler than his daughter (6).
The daughter’s whiny and scared, probably influenced by their mom.
The son is carefree, fun, and the star of the show.
We all love both, but the son just wins in the fun department.
Mom hated my sister for years.
We moved out because life at home was unbearable.
Moved back just before she turned 18, then got kicked out.
Family drama at its finest.
After having my son, I unintentionally pushed my daughter away.
Counseling and meds helped me have more patience, but I still find her annoying.
I try to treat them equally, but we’re just not as close as before.
As long as she doesn’t notice or get jealous, I guess it’s okay.
Love my kids the same, but my son is a jerk - obnoxious and smart, just like me (which means we clash).
My daughter is hilarious and beautiful, and we’re super close.
Maybe it’s a girl thing, maybe not.
Middle child perks? Being the favorite has its perks, I guess.
I actively dislike my step-daughter - the adult she’s become anyway.
She’s a militant feminist who rails against the white male privilege of the people who gave her everything.
Contrary for the sake of it and not very nice.
Definitely not a fun person lately.
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