Caring Aunt Makes Custom Doll For Her Younger Niece, Causes Stir For Refusing To Make Another For Most Favored Older Niece

"Her sister's doll was customized unlike her store bought ones"

Maryjane

• Published in Interesting
• May 15, 2024

It's considered forbidden to have a favorite child in what many consider to be "good parenting." For devoted, responsible parents, it can be a major source of shame and is frequently viewed as unjust and troublesome.

Children who are favored can have a strong sense of entitlement. Their parents lavish them with undeserved gifts, and they assume others will follow suit.

Not everyone will be as eager to assist as their parents were. As a result, they may have issues with their peers, instructors, and other people in their lives.

Children who are favored may have a "black and white" perspective on the world, believing that one kid is "all good" and another is "all bad." This isn't how life works, because it leads to inflexible assumptions about other people and hinders problem-solving.

OP's oldest brother has two daughters, ages 7 and 5. It's very clear that the oldest daughter is the golden child.

She gets whatever she wants, no matter how expensive, and is always showered with praise for her pageants and singing. OP's younger niece is very shy, but she is still very sweet and enjoys things like reading and animals.

OP's younger cousin has been feeling bad about herself because she didn't like her hair color and the doll they got her wasn't any good. The OP decided to make her a custom doll for her birthday, and she was so happy.

Now the older niece wants one too, but the OP had to call out the elephant in the room.

The OP writes

The older niece gets whatever she wants, no matter how expensive

The doll's hair is bright red, which is not her hair color

Neither of them cared about being fair when the younger niece was playing with a troll doll

OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a-hole:

1. I refused to make my oldest niece a custom doll until next year even though she was upset I'd made one for her sister.
2. Maybe I should have just had them as a pair to avoid conflict? It was a birthday gift for younger niece, but now her sister and parents are upset and I don't want that to affect her.

And the comments from other Redditors roll in...

She may need to have a backup

The OP is a lovely aunt

Curly hair being way prettier than straight hair

The OP is certainly blessed

They are raising an entitled child

The joy of giving was completely taken

This Redditor hopes they are wrong

What a very kind thing OP did for her niece! Many Redditors were happy that the little girl has an adult in her life who pays attention to her.

Whether the OP chooses to make another doll for the older niece is entirely up to her but Redditors were just happy that she stepped in where her parents clearly can't. She was declared not the AH and that's a wrap.

Maryjane