Raising children in today’s fast-paced and adult-oriented society presents unique challenges, particularly when it comes to managing sibling relationships. While the joy of having more than one child is immense, it often comes with difficult feelings of rivalry and competition.
If you are looking for more tips on how to tackle sibling rivalry, make sure you get our FREE Ultimate Sibling Rivalry Survival Guide and learn what to do when chaos ensues, how to handle the most common sibling struggles, the secret to sibling friendships, and much more!
Below are more resources that offer parents effective strategies to foster rich, playful, and loving connections between siblings, ensuring that these relationships are nurtured from the start and continue to thrive. By focusing on preparation, SpecialTime, playful reassurance, and connecting intervention, parents can help their children navigate the complexities of sibling dynamics with empathy and patience.
Always try to keep in mind that your child is good
Sooner or later, every child with siblings gets upset with their sibling. But try to keep a good perspective: even when consumed with big feelings, your child is good. They are signaling you for help as clearly and as vigorously as they know how.
You may need some listening time from another adult to remember their goodness. Once your own upset isn’t throbbing, you’ll again be able to spend one-on-one time with them, a good first step toward healing their aching heart.
Connect through chaos
What parent hasn’t wished she could clone herself into an army of expert cuddlers, caregivers, lap holders, child carriers, diaper changers, housekeepers and taskmasters?
We are particularly likely to feel less than enough when big upsets are happening with more than one child at the same time. Find out what you can do when siblings have big feelings at the same time in this article.
When you arrive too late to prevent conflicts
As parents, when we decide to welcome another child into our family, we hope for our kids to become good friends and we wish to avoid constant fighting so we can enjoy some peaceful moments. However, inevitable tiffs, clashes, and explosions often disrupt our dream of harmonious play. We try to set boundaries to help our children coexist peacefully, but frequently, we arrive too late to prevent conflicts.
Here are 5 things you can do when intervening in a moment of sibling rivalry or when you get there after a child has been hurt.
Support sibling friendship
Children are naturally drawn to one another, especially siblings, who deeply desire to love and be loved. Supporting these sibling bonds is essential for a connected family life.
Kids have significant needs for warm, relaxed attention from adults. They need our presence, focus, and understanding. When children lack this attention, it causes emotional hurt, making sibling friendships more challenging. Here are a few steps you can take to foster siblings friendship.
And if you’ve ever found yourself asking “Why can’t my kids get along?!”, join Certified Instructors Kirsten Nottleson, Kristen Volk, and Sadie Van Gelder in this podcast episode and learn effective strategies to dissolve the tightly-held upsets within your children, fostering an atmosphere where they can relax and rediscover the joy of sibling companionship.
Make sure you are supported as well as you are raising siblings
Join our FREE Hand in Hand Parenting Network and receive the support you need and deserve, meet like-minded parents, have access to weekly LIVE ‘Ask Me Anything’ sessions led by Certified Hand in Hand Parenting Instructors, and explore our “5 Tools Mini-Course”
For guided personal support explore our membership program, The Hand in Hand Parent Club Community. With a two-week FREE trial, start getting daily solutions to your parenting challenges and enjoy 25% OFF the Taming Siblings Rivalry Course as a Parent Community member.
