Then You Can Stop The Sibling Rivalry!

If you have more than one child, you may know that sibling rivalry can be a normal everyday life for your children. It can even start as early as immediately after the second child is born. It is a difficult situation for both parents and children, but it is possible to put an end to sibling rivalry, even if it may seem impossible at the first attempts.

As your children grow up, they need to feel that they have your attention. When children are constantly arguing with their siblings, it is a struggle where they try to define who they are as an individual. They both want to show that they are different from their siblings while demanding your attention. When a child experiences that a sibling gets more attention than them, do what they can so that you also see them.

How you react can either stop or increase sibling rivalry

Fortunately, how parents react to sibling rivalry can make a big difference in how tough the quarrels are and how often they occur. If you handle it effectively, you can stop the sibling rivalry – but on the other hand, you can help to intensify it if you do not read the situation in the best way.

You can either help your children bury their rival emotions, or let them release the emotions in a controlled environment. How you handle the situation can either provide fuel for the battles – or create opportunities for cooperation between the siblings. As parents, our attitudes and words have the power to both change and aggravate a situation.

Techniques to put an end to sibling rivalry

These techniques below can help you put an end to sibling rivalry that creates tension in your family, for good. They can help children find harmony and find joy in each other’s presence instead of having a need to compete with each other all the time.

Treat your children as individuals and avoid rivalry

Understand that children do not need to be treated equally – but they need to be treated uniquely. Contrary to many people’s beliefs, treating all children in the same way is not the best way to handle the situation. Siblings are different; each has its own characteristics, among other things, depending on the order in which they are born.

Comfort them when they experience injustice

There will still be times when they feel they are not getting enough attention, time or confirmation from their parents. Expect this and be prepared to explain the decisions you have made.

You need to reassure your children that you are trying to do the best you can to meet everyone’s needs, which are different from each other and at the same time unique.

Explain to your children that older or younger children may have different responsibilities or privileges due to age. Set aside individual time for each child each day. Just ten minutes of uninterrupted time with mom’s or dad’s full attention can make a big difference for a child.

Stop sibling rivalry: encourage cooperation, not competition

Parents can create siblings who work together successfully for themselves and their siblings by making sure they are not set on competing for everything. Do things that make them work together and plan family activities that are fun for everyone.

Good experiences help children to form bonds with each other and act as support for each other when conflicts arise. This is because it is difficult to get angry at someone with whom you have happy memories.

Give them personal space to avoid rivalry

Make sure your children have their own space and time to be themselves. Their room or area in a shared room should be a place where they and their property are protected from their siblings. They also need to have time to play with friends without their brother or sister.

Listen when they are calm

Sit with your children one by one in a private room and ask them what they like about their siblings and what they do not like. Really listen to their opinions and reinforce the positive things they see in each other.

When children feel seen and heard, their need to fight for your attention diminishes. So really listening to what is happening in their lives and in their sibling relationships is an important step in stopping sibling rivalry.

Do not let them get hungry…

It may sound funny, but this is actually an important piece of advice. When all else fails and sibling quarrels escalate, reflect on what time of day the fights usually occur. Think about whether the children have eaten recently or not when they start their fights. Namely, hungry children are more likely to quarrel, so an earlier snack can be an effective method of stopping sibling rivalry!

It is possible to avoid rival children

You have now seen that to avoid sibling rivalry, it is best to give each child their own, personal space and enough attention in the right situations. Therefore, start trying to put these tips into practice, and it will surely help you put an end to all these silly fights faster than you thought possible!