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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Jackson County looks at compensation for wolf kills Southern Oregon Speedway race track lease veers off course Since You Asked: Medford casino meeting is open to all Medford council may ban Styrofoam containers Emergency Services, Feb. 3 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services, Feb. 3 Woman sentenced for harboring Jackson County Jail escapee Downtown Grounds burglarized White City house fire displaces couple Emergency Services, Feb. 2 Politics and Elections Amid rising scrutiny, governor says fiancee won't have role in administration Ashland aims for diversity, but numbers show shortfall Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address Oregon Legislature convenes, session starts Feb. 12 Education SOU board names officers, committees SOU students targeted in Drive Less campaign Parent files discrimination complaint against Ashland schools Some gains, some losses Medford reconsiders full-day kindergarten Environment Jackson County looks at compensation for wolf kills Commissioners won't object to BLM road closures Mt. 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Live Music in Local Clubs Terrapin Flyer plays Historic Ashland Armory Eric Johnson and Mike Stern at The Rogue Theatre Alcyon Massive and Frankie Hernandez play acoustic at Howiee's Theater Camelot presents Playwright Richard Manley's 'A Question of Words' Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Randall Theatre presents playwright Charles Ludlam's comedy "The Mystery of Irma Vep" Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Cardenio' Music Here it is! Live Music in Local Clubs Jesse Cook plays the Craterian Theater Shybo Torres plays South Stage Cellars Terrapin Flyer plays Historic Ashland Armory Trio Valtorna plays SOU Music Hall Community Events Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Len Dickson's 'Fall Harvest' to grace Belle Fiore wine label A look at the life and vision of Martin Luther King Jr. Ty Barnett and Ian Harris are 'Divided' Dining Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Cheeseburgers on the cheap Valley View — It's all in the family Patty Groth's Morning Glory is still a delight Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Jackson County looks at compensation for wolf kills ... Our View: No reason to hurry pot-tax vote ... Guest Opinion: Health professionals don't always act that way ... Jackson County looks at compensation for wolf kills ... Our View: No reason to hurry pot-tax vote ... Guest Opinion: Health professionals don't always act that way ... It Is What It Is: No parent wants to play favorites Comment By Lisa Sugarman More Content Now MailTribune.com By Lisa Sugarman More Content Now Posted Feb. 2, 2015 @ 7:47 am By Lisa Sugarman More Content Now Posted Feb. 2, 2015 @ 7:47 am » Social News I’m an only child, so I always had a pretty good lock on being my parents’ favorite kid. (Tip: When you limit the options, the odds are always stacked in your favor.) And I have to admit, even though I would’ve loved the companionship of a brother or a sister or both, there was definitely something to be said for having zero competition in the “favorite” category. There was no one to compare me to, so I was always a shoo-in. Now though, as an adult with kids of my own, I’ve almost always got someone vying for the “favorite” spot. And because my kids have a highly sophisticated radar system hardwired into their genetic code, they can detect every opportunity to ingratiate themselves on my good side. Like when one’s being particularly snarky, the other seizes the chance to suck up to me. Never fails. It’s usually a real seesaw battle, although it’s always entertaining for me. But lately, one of my girls is consistently blowing the others away as a model child. And as much as I try never to play favorites, I’m compelled to give her the shout out she deserves. Because in my opinion, stand-out behavior deserves to be acknowledged. So I feel obliged to give her props for being my easiest, even though it goes against my nature to put one of them on a pedestal above the others. Now she is my oldest, by a lot, so in all fairness, she’s had more time to mature and settle into herself. And I’ve taken that into consideration, believe me. But quite frankly, she’s just naturally easy-going and low maintenance. And she loves to be with me, which, in and of itself elevates her status. I mean, what mother of girls doesn’t fantasize about their daughters hanging on their every word? What mother wouldn’t give anything to have her girls drop everything just to lie on the couch together and watch HGTV? What mother wouldn’t offer to do her neighbor’s laundry every day for life in exchange for a daughter who never complained, rarely made a mess, licked her plate clean, and sailed through puberty without even a second’s worth of drama? Now do you understand why I just have to give my girl the recognition she deserves? I mean, she drops everything and comes running the second I call her name. And she’s so eager to please that she’s practically panting with excitement every time I yell for her. Talk about devotion. What mother wouldn’t want to brag, at least a little bit? To be honest, I do kind of feel bad for my other kids, because this one’s set the bar so high that it’s almost impossible for the others to compete. And I think they realize that their sister is unique in that way. She’s not like other girls. No sass. No attitude. Never slammed a door or talked back a day in her life. And, believe it or not, she’s never actually asked me to buy her one single thing. Not one. She’s dreamy, what can I say? Nails it in all the major categories. She’s my most obedient, affectionate, passive, reliable child. Now I’m the first to recognize that no kids are created equal. They’ve all got their own special and unique qualities that makes them lovable and endearing. But the reality of parenthood is that there are always kids who capture your heart in extraordinary ways. There just are. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating those exceptional kids for being so remarkable. You know, at some point along the line, we just have to be allowed to call a spade a spade. So that’s exactly what I’m doing. With the exception of a couple of challenging years when she was young and a little wild and often hard to control, she’s given us next to no grief. I guess if I had to put my finger on it, I’d say she really hit her stride right around the time she was spayed. It was right after that that she settled down and she’s been a rock star ever since. Ok, so anatomically speaking, my favorite child isn’t exactly your typical child. In fact, she’s not a bonafide child at all. She’s my 10-year-old beagle, Lilly. But my daughters love her like a sister, and as far as Dave and I are concerned, she’s just another one of our kids. And as much as I hate to rank them against each other, right now she’s my favorite. And she’s earned it. Maybe if my other daughters start licking my face and come when I call them, their stock will go up. Maybe. In the meantime, my dog will retain the title of Favorite Child. At least until one of my other kids learns how to fetch me the paper. Then it’s anybody’s ballgame. Lisa Sugarman lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Read and discuss all her columns at itiswhatitiscolumn.wordpress.com. She is also the author of “LIFE: It Is What It Is,” available on Amazon.com. By Lisa Sugarman More Content Now MailTribune.com By Lisa Sugarman More Content Now Posted Feb. 2, 2015 @ 7:47 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. 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