How To Deal With Sibling Rivalry

Instances of sibling rivalry is when older sibling hates the younger sibling right from day one and constantly finds fault with the other. Clash among siblings is the most common cause of family friction.

Siblings often fight for time and the first position in their family. Sibling rivalry cannot be eliminated but can be reduced by showing each child is special. Children may be born in the same family but not in the same situation.

For instance, the first child has the exclusive attention of his/her parents, when the second is born they have to take care of the first also. Parents also grow as children grow.

Any house which has more than one child has the same problem. Parents can do a lot of things to reduce the problem. Talk with your first child about the arrival of the new baby. Tell the child what fun it’s gonna be with both of them together and how things will be different.

Irrespective of whether the younger one is sleeping or awake play with the older baby. Only then they’ll feel they’ll get attention whether the other baby is there or not, otherwise they’ll get an aversion towards the other baby. Be practical, your elder child may be older than the new baby, but still they need lots of attention. So don’t expect your older child to overwhelm the new born with love.

Give individual attention for each child so that you’re well aware of what is happening and what is running in their mind. Children snitch about each other. Ways of improving their place with the parents. Stop this habit by not responding or by acting as if no tattling happened.

When children fight for parent’s exclusive attention, let a timer decide each child’s turn. This trains your children to share and also lets the children know they’ll have their turn.

Let them make their own decisions. When children fight don’t intrude, however, don’t let the fight get out of control, as things will not be nice between them after that. You also have to interfere when children become physically aggressive.

Since we care and love our children, we anticipate they’ll care and love for each other. Though they do, they don’t express it. As far as possible, overlook your children’s differences. It’s their problem, not yours. It’s better to stay out of your children’s clashes. Allow them to resolve it by themselves.