The big lie.

Parents always say that they love all their kids the same.  Ain't true.  Oh, I do believe that they would go to the same ends of the earth for each kid and that they keep it equal when it comes to buying gifts or having the same rules for all.  

But the heart response to each kid is different.  It just is.  And it's worse to pretend like it isn't.  Some kids evoke your protective instincts; some instantly make you feel inadequate; some just bring happiness to your heart.  These feelings aren't a choice.  They are simply automatic responses at the deepest level.  They're part of being human.