Managing sibling rivalry

 

Sibling rivalry is a natural part of family life, but as parents, you play a key role in helping your kids develop a positive relationship.

The Victorian Government’s Better Health Channel suggests that sibling rivalry can become a problem, particularly among children who are the same gender and close together in age and that rates of sibling rivalry are lower in families where children feel they are treated equally by their parents. 

A strong sibling bond can become one of life’s greatest joys, so here are 10 practical tips to encourage harmony at home:

Celebrate their differences. Remind your children that everyone is unique. Highlight their individual strengths and interests to avoid constant comparisons.

Set clear rules. Establish ground rules about respect and behaviour, such as no name-calling or physical fighting, so everyone knows what’s acceptable.

Teach problem-solving. Encourage them to work through disagreements calmly. For example, guide them to take turns talking and finding compromises.

Encourage teamwork. Give them tasks they can tackle together, like building a Lego set or baking biscuits, to promote cooperation.

Avoid playing favourites. Be mindful of treating them equally in attention, praise, and privileges to minimise jealousy.

Give them space. Let each child have some alone time or their own belongings to reduce feelings of competition.

Praise positive interactions. Acknowledge when they play nicely or help one another—positive reinforcement works wonders.

Teach empathy. Help your son understand his sibling’s perspective by asking questions like, “How do you think they feel about this?”

Model healthy conflict resolution. Let your kids see how you handle disagreements calmly and respectfully. They’ll learn from your example.

Celebrate their bond. Organise special sibling outings or moments, like movie nights or shared hobbies, to strengthen their connection.

While sibling rivalry might not disappear completely, creating an environment that values respect and teamwork will help your children build a lifelong friendship.

 

Brought to you by Brighton Grammar School

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