Let’s be honest…. if you have multiple children, there is likely one that is more high maintenance. This doesn’t change with how many you have. Often even in clusters of 3-5 kids there is one that requires more. Then there are the ones that require the least. Maybe that’s not always the way they were. Maybe they are just naturally low-key. The point is that there are always the kids that require the least and, as a parent, it’s lovely.

Here’s the thing…. often these kids get overlooked when the high maintenance kid is going through something.

Sometimes this can’t be helped. For instance, special needs kids sometimes have periods of higher need and the other sibling gets overlooked out of necessity. Sometimes the necessity is an exhausted parent who has dealt with a high maintenance kid all day every day for months and is just too tired to have the energy to give an ounce more attention to anyone. Sometimes, it’s simply because we’re human and we base our priorities on what needs the most attention. I don’t want to come across as judgmental because, honestly, we all have struggled with this at one time or another. If you’re being hard on yourself, breathe and remember that we are all in the same boat. Parenting is hard.

This post isn’t to make you feel guilty or sad or judged.

This post is to give you a gentle reminder just like we all have needed at one time or another. This post is to remind you to carve time out regularly for that child. It’s not so much the quantity as it is the quality. The fact is that this time is precious and it reminds your low-maintenance kiddo that they are loved and appreciated. It reminds them that even though they might not need the most in the way of emotional support right now, that they can still come to you if they do need something. It reminds them of how much they matter. It might look like blocking some time out on your calendar, setting an alarm, or even having a dry erase or chalkboard to mark it as a priority. And hey….mom (or dad), it doesn’t hurt to do the same for yourself. Remember, you are a priority too.