The incessant bickering between brothers and sisters can undermine the daily lives of all members of a family. Sibling rivalry is inevitable, but it is possible to mitigate its effects by relying on the complicity of your children!
Spending quality time with brother and sister
Give your children the opportunity to go on special outings and participate in activities that allow them to have fun together. These moments will remain engraved in their memory and will positively color their relationship.
Carrying out joint projects
Do your children have common interests? A project that unites their fields of interest will allow them to combine their skills to achieve a goal. They will team up to imagine, plan and make something happen. Completing projects will enhance their individual strengths and highlight their complementarity.
Encourage your children to compliment each other
By regularly complimenting the members of his family, the child becomes aware of the advantages of being well surrounded. Using a compliment box couldfacilitate this process. At the end of each day, the children indicate on a piece of paper the gestures or words that they appreciated from the other members of the family and why. At the end of the week, check out the contents of the box. This exercise will be beneficial for both the author and the recipient of the compliment.
Teaching your children to solve their own problems
Children learn to solve their problems through practice. Give them a few minutes to find common ground. If they can't, play the role of mediator. Help them find a way to calm down. Then listen to their version of the facts without judging. Explore possible solutions together. Finally, let them choose a solution that works for them. Over time, your help will be less needed.
Celebrate the uniqueness of your children
Our daily life unfolds at a frantic pace. It is not uncommon for us to give time to all the siblings rather than to each child. This can unfortunately cause jealousy between them. Their need for individual attention remains despite the expansion of the family. It is important to be sensitive to this and plan one-on-one time with each child.
Allow children to have differences
It is utopian to believe that your children will get along well at all times. Let go and accept that they have differences. Allow them to express their emotions rather than forcing them to express them.push back, which could increase hostility among siblings. Your emotional support will ease their tensions.
Encourage mutual aid
Mutual aid among siblings fosters the development of a strong bond of trust and reciprocity. To encourage your children to help each other, regularly ask them how they could help the other to please them. Be careful not to always beg your eldest to make an effort. The little ones can also collaborate with the older ones according to their abilities!
Define the territory of each of the children
Considering that several siblings are often together, it is normal for friction to arise. Plan with each of your children a place where they can retreat when they need to be alone. Also allow your children to reserve certain toys for exclusive use. This will avoid any hassle over their hardware.
Rewarding brotherly harmony
Reward your kids when they get along. Highlight the situations where they have fun together, where they exchange knowing glances, where they share, etc.
Have clear rules
Children's rivalries can easily escalate if boundaries aren't set. Explain to children what they can do when they experience conflict. Give them tools to channel their negative feelings. Emphasize the importance of remaining peaceful andrespectful. Plan logical consequences for breaking your rules.
The family is a micro-society that allows children to develop several essential skills. Sibling rivalries forge the identity of the child. They develop their ability to assert themselves, to recognize and express their emotions, to develop their patience and tolerance and to solve problems. Try thinking about it when your kids are bickering!
