How Do I Praise One Child Without Upsetting His Siblings

Springfield, Missouri
March 20, 2016 9:07am CST
I am the proud mother of five, very bright, and intelligent boys, ages 11-19. I am so very proud all of them, and try to let them know this as much as possible. However, my seventeen year old boy has accomplished more since he was fifteen, then most adults accomplish in an entire lifetime. His dad and uncle are both registered nurses, and at fifteen he decided to follow in their footsteps, and began taking classes to earn a certificate, as a certified nurses assistant. Then at sixteen he applied at several places and was able to get a job at a local McDonalds, and worked every day after school. At sixteen, he earned his CNA certificate, went to school full time, worked at Mcdonalds after school, and also got a job working in a nursing home during summer break, while he was out of school. When school started back up, he tried to still work both jobs, but his grades began to drop and he was too exausted to do anything about it. So his dad (whom he lives with), told him he either needed to quit one of his jobs, or both if he couldn't keep up with his grades. He wanted to keep working at McDonalds, because that was the first place he worked, and he felt he had an obligation to stay. He finally decided to put in his notice there anyway, because the nursing ho.e job was what he had studied and worked so hard for. To make a long story short, he is now on his fourth vehicle, because the first two he had were totalled, and neither one his fault. His third car, he absolutely loved, and he took very good care of it, but there was one car that he just couldn't take his eyes off of whenever he passed the dealership it sat out in front of. So one day he talked his dad into going to the dealership to take a look at it. They test drove the car and afterwards his dad asked him if he really wanted it, to which my son immediately replied with a YES!! So his dad told him if he could get approved for it, and if my son paid the insurance and car payments, then he would get it for him. My son had saved the downpayment money, but didn't hold his breath that his dad would help him, but to his surprise he did! He was approved for the loan, and my son is now the proud owner of a 2013 Dodge Dart!! He hasn't missed one payment on the car and has not been late paying his insurance once! So when he began looking at apartments and houses, it was no surprise. Unfortunetely he would get his heart set on one, only to find that the owner of the property would back out each learned his age. One man could see it that he wanted the apartment he showed him so very much, and agreed to rent to him with a co-signer. I couldn't do it for him because I have no rental history, beings that I have lived with my mother since 2010, after I was involved in a car accident in May of that year. With alot of hesitation on his part, he got up the couage to ask my mother if she would co-sign for him. She didn't even think twice, and agreed to do it for him instantly. Patiently he waited, and this past Thursday he got the call that he had been waiting for. Yes, the man approved his application, with mom as his co-signer, and he will be moving in as soon as the new carpet is put down, which couldn't be happening any slower in his eyes! Lol So what exactly is the problem you ask? Well I do have four other boys that get upset any time I praise him, because they think I am picking favorites. That couldn't be further from the truth, but trying to convince them is a different story. So I don't say much about how proud of him I am, although I try to give him little hints here and there. Sometimes even that is too much, because one of the other boys will catch it. So how can I show my seventeen year old how I feel about his accomplishments, while also showing my other boys that I love them all just the same, and am proud of them as well?
6 people like this
5 responses
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
20 Mar 16
I have the same problem, I have 2 sons, my older son struggled in school, is now grown and working. My younger son is currently at Michigan State University. He will have his Master's Degree this May and then 3 more years to get his PhD in AstroPhysics. I am bursting with pride for him. My older son while he loves his brother calls him the Golden Child, and thinks I love him more. Not true I love both my sons the same, and would do anything for either of them. I think as they grow older my son is realizing that my love for both and my pride for both is the same. I love the men both my sons have become. I see my older boy every day as he lives here with me and my husband and he knows we will always have his back and help him in any way we can. Both my sons will always have a home here, although my younger son will never live with us again. All a parent can do is show them how much we love and care for each one. I think if you do that, they kids will have to work out the jealousy they feel for their other sibling.
1 person likes this
• Springfield, Missouri
20 Mar 16
Thank you so much for commenting on this!! I guess I never really thought of it that way!! This really helps alot!! Thanks you again!
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
21 Mar 16
@Stewboyz5 you are more than welcome.
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
20 Mar 16
You must praise all of them equally for whatever they do that is praiseworthy. And NEVER compare one to the other, or say something like, "you should be more like your brother." Which I'm sure you don't do.
1 person likes this
• Springfield, Missouri
20 Mar 16
NO I definetely wouldn't and haven't! I secretly hope, but never say it out loud, that they do learn from him though. I want them to see that hard work and determination does pay off.
@dodo19 (47118)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
20 Mar 16
I have three kids, 4, 2 1/2, and 1. I do try to praise each and one of them equally, but it can be tricky sometimes because they're all at different stages. But I do try to make it fair. I do tell all three of them each day that I love them, that they're smart, and special.
@annierose (19228)
• Philippines
25 Mar 16
Hi Tiara! I think you can explain to them that you are also proud of their accomplishments no matter how big or small they are. It is very important to remove jealousy in the eyes of your kids so that they will always have good relationship toward one another. Each person is unique and why not make your son who already made many accomplishments a model to your other sons. I
• Springfield, Missouri
26 Mar 16
I agree 100%!!! I think there is already jealousy without me pushing the issue anyway, but no more than most kids with siblings their ages. I am shocked actually that jealousy doesn't cgange the way they interact with one anothet. If you didn't know them, you would think they were best friends rather than brothers, they spend their spare time together always!! I love it too!! :)
1 person likes this
@Lazyblogs (494)
• Chandigarh, India
20 Mar 16
You must tell ypur boys how ypur 17 yo has set a bar up for them ..and tell them that you can achieve better than him .