Menu
Like it? Share it!
I’ve just been interviewed by a journalist about sibling rivalry so here are my quick tips about positive and healthy ways to manage it.
If you’d like to find out more of my ideas, strategies and practical tips there’s more in Chapter 13 of my internationally published book “Raising Happy Children for Dummies” on Amazon or you can download my CD and Worksbook called “Banishing the Bickering CD and Workbook” available here
Start by building bonds between siblings by teaching them social skills including:
* Sharing. Sharing is the art of give and take and the skill of negotiating. To encourage sharing, put your children in charge of the sharing. For example, you might say, ‘I’ve bought some chocolate chip ice-cream. What’s the best way to share it out fairly?’
* Fairness. Siblings compare all the time, and the root of jealousy is when one of your children feels that the other gets special treatment or more attention or is loved more. Be fair in your dealings with them and make sure they know you value them equally and explain your thought processes.
As one dad on a course told me he said to his kids: ‘It’s not fair that some people thump their kids or that there are kids in the world starving to death. Life isn’t fair all the time so arguing about who gets the last Jellytot in the packet doesn’t seem very important to me. Get over it!’
* Unity. Develop a ‘united we stand, divided we fall’ mentality. Children work out the power of sticking together when they want something special for Christmas and pester together! Families work best when they stick together. Look out for one another and recognise your responsibility for each other. Even very young children can learn that ‘we all pull together and pitch in when things get difficult’.
* Celebrating uniqueness. Teach your children the importance of recognising and celebrating different strengths, talents, and skills without feeling jealous or inferior. If each of your children is made to feel special for his own talents, each child can have a well of self-esteem to draw on and feel secure in his individuality.
The idea of ‘your success is my success’ can be helpful in recognising differences. When my daughter won the Player of the Week netball award, my son was thrilled for her and very effusive in his praise. He likes to celebrate her successes just as she likes to celebrate his.
* Respect. Teach your children how to treat each other respectfully, even when conflicts arise. Show them how to express their anger without name calling or ridicule. Help them recognise and acknowledge their feelings with words and then teach them how to channel their angry feelings into ways that are acceptable, such as kicking a ball, running in the garden, or punching a pillow.
Download your copy of Sue’s Ebook
How to give your kids the gift of self-esteem by clicking here
About the author
Sue Atkins is a Parenting Expert who offers practical guidance for bringing up happy, confident, well behaved children. She is also the author of “Raising Happy Children for Dummies” one in the famous black and yellow series published worldwide and the highly acclaimed Parenting Made Easy CDs. She regularly appears on BBC Breakfast and The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 and her parenting articles are published all over the world.
Join me on these networks
Sue Atkins the Parenting Expert
T: + 44 1342 833355 M: 07740 622769
Gatehouse Farm
The Farmhouse
New Chapel
Surrey RH7 6LF
Discussing every possible aspect of parenting, giving you advice and support on topics which affect your daily life. Each free, weekly episode is bursting with practical tips, techniques and ideas.
I will teach you my no-nonsense, simple techniques & give you hundreds of my expert parenting articles, videos & podcasts so you can get back to the business of having fun with your family!
