Why are children so desperate to ensure everything is absolutely fair, down to the amount of chips on a plate or five minutes extra bedtime?

Explanations about later bedtimes being more appropriate for older children, or that the youngest may need more help with homework are met with sulks and tantrums, or woeful looks which interpreted mean ‘you love them more than me.’

Yet when they want something, their differences are used to work in their favour.

‘But I am the youngest I shouldn’t have to tidy up as much as the others.’

‘I’m older so I should have more.’

‘I’m the oldest so I get to choose the film.’

‘I’m a girl so I shouldn’t have to carrry so much.’

‘I’m a boy, why should I learn to cook.’

Yes unfortunately despite my best efforts children themselves will use their sex to try to gain advantage! I comfort myself with the thought that they would use the colour of their hair or their shoe size if it would get them what they wanted at that moment.

Maybe all this is because deep down they know that life is not fair and while they are children they want to milk as much fairness as they can!