Most parents have a favorite child. There's no sense in pretending otherwise, the kids know it and if parents are honest, they know it too says Dr Laurie Kramer. She's a psychology professor at Northeastern University and a renowned expert in sibling relationships. Instead of ignoring the topic of who's the favorite, a better approach is to acknowledge the different treatment each child gets and to talk openly about it. When kids feel less favored, the effects include poorer mental health, more strained family dynamics, and even lower academic outcomes. Dr Kramer offers practical advice on how to talk about favoritism and how to help siblings get along.