Since we’re all different, nobody relates to any two people in exactly the same way.  In some cases, a parent might seem to show favor to your sibling.  In other cases, or from another point of view, your parent might appear to favor you.  It is unrealistic to expect any parent to be completely fair and even-handed in their treatment of you and your sibling.  However, there is no excuse for systematic and repeated favoritism of one child over another. Before tackling the issue with your parents, ask yourself whether you're sure your siblings are really being treated better.  Sure, they might receive something "extra" in one area of life, but you might receive that kind of special attention in another area.  If this is the case, your parents might not really be showing your sibling preferential treatment, but are rather just acknowledging that you and your sibling are two different people with unique wants and needs. It’s important to communicate to your parents how you feel when they treat your other siblings better than they treat you.  Be honest about your feelings.  Whether you’re an adult still dealing with the impact your parents’ behavior had on you or a kid trying to improve your situation, talking to your parents about how they treated your sibling better than they treated you is important. Try starting the conversation by saying something like, "Mom and Dad, I've been thinking a lot about this lately and I need to talk to you about not feeling as important as John." Find a quiet moment when you can talk to your parent about their behavior without anyone else interrupting.  Say, for instance, “I’m really hurt by the way you’re treating me compared to my sibling.”  Avoid confrontational “you” statements (like “You don’t care about me”) and focus on your feelings with “I” statements (like “I’m hurt by the way I’m being treated”). Cite specific examples to illustrate your point. For example, you could continue the conversation by saying, "It seems like you go to all John’s football games, but you only went to one of my volleyball games last season. Why is that?” Finish with a direct request such as, "I really want you both to attend at least three of my at home games this season. I feel that is only fair." If you can’t think of specific instances where your parents treated you poorly relative to how they treated your sibling, start looking for these occasions and write them down over the course of a few days.  Then, when you’re armed with evidence, talk to your parents about the situation. Be honest when expressing your feelings. If your parents get angry or upset with you, don't fight them.  Stay calm and excuse yourself from the conversation if you don’t think you’re making progress or if you feel too frustrated.  Don’t blow up, cuss them out, and call them names.  Instead, maintain a level tone and speak slowly.  Choose your words with care.  If you feel upset by the conversation, then try taking a break and do some deep breathing. Try saying something like, “I will be right back. I just need a few minutes.” You might have to talk to your parents more than once about this issue.  If they are unwilling to listen the first time you bring it up, try again some other time. Stay focused on the subject.  Don’t let your parents turn the conversation around on you or excuse their actions. In the best-case scenario, you parents will realize that they’ve been treating you badly compared to your siblings and resolve to change.  But they might not agree with your view, even if you draw attention to their favoritism.  They might deny showing preferential treatment, or might admit that they show preferential treatment and try to justify it.  In this case, prepare for frustration and unhappy feelings. Remember, you cannot change other people.  You can only change yourself.

Summary: Understand the variation within relationships. Stand up for yourself. Be assertive but not aggressive. Don’t get into an argument. Don’t expect your parents to change.


To avoid falling for a scam, you should stick to reputable websites devoted to at home jobs. Although some of them charge, many of these websites also screen job listings to verify that they are legitimate. Consider:  Flex Jobs  Remote Working Work at Home Remote OK Skip the Drive Working Nomads Authentic Jobs We Work Remotely Virtual Vocations Remote jobs are in high demand, so you might need to make your own job. Talk to local businesses and ask around for people who need help. Market yourself as being able to perform tasks that can be done remotely, like writing, editing, sales, web design, translation, medical transcription, and customer service.  Consider initially offering your services for free, or nearly free, to prove that you can work remotely. Once you have a client, it will be easier to connect and develop more business relations. Pitch the advantages of doing your work remotely. Your employer will not need to pay for office space. Because you don’t need to commute, you are willing to work for less than competitors. If you are hired as a contractor, it will reduce their tax obligations. Reach out to friends, family, and people who you have worked for or with. Ask them about job opportunities and see if they can put in a good word for you. Use the web to promote your services.  Develop a website advertising your services and accomplishments. Advertise in local newspapers and online media. Review Flex Job’s list of the 100 companies most likely to hire remote workers. Use Linkedin to see if you have any connections to that company that you can contact for assistance finding a job. If you do not, email the personnel department your resume and make a pitch for why they should consider hiring you.

Summary: Scan listing on reputable websites. Reach out to local businesses. Use your networks. Contact a major company.


Isopropyl alcohol is a solvent that will dislodge any color from stains. This includes the green pigment left behind by grass. To wet the stain, take a sponge or cotton swab and generously dab with alcohol.  Rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol, works on removing grass stains because it dissolves the green pigment left behind in a grass stain. If you’re working on a delicate fabric, try a 50:50 solution of water and alcohol. Note that adding water means it may take longer to dry. Allow the stain to complete air dry before moving forward. The alcohol will evaporate out of the stain and most of the pigment should be dislodged. After the stain is dry, rinse it with cool water. Using cool water prevents the stain from setting. Use of hot water, or heat at all, will set the stain and make it more difficult to remove. Apply a small amount of detergent to the stain. Massage for at least five minutes, but the longer the better. Once you’re satisfied with your massaging, rinse the stain with cold water until the water runs clear. Allow the garment to air dry. Once it is dry, check to see if the stain is gone. If not, repeat the process. If the stain has been removed, you can launder the item as normal.
Summary: Wet the stain with isopropyl alcohol. Air dry and rinse. Apply liquid detergent. Check the stain.