Preferential treatment is something that happens in almost every family. A large number of people have favorite kids, parents, and grandkids, and it blatantly shows in the different ways that they treat them. It isn’t right, but that doesn’t stop it from happening. In fact, sometimes this only encourages it.

It goes without saying that being the relative or side of the family that isn’t in the good graces of other family members can be a tough pill to swallow, not least when it is for reasons that are either mysterious or totally illegitimate. 

When this is a pattern of behavior that they begin to suffer from, it is not uncommon for some backlash to be experienced. Giving to someone on the grounds that they are family and not getting anything back can become tiring and upsetting, and sometimes, the best thing to do in this situation is to reduce or cut contact.