Do you feel like your kids would gladly throw their siblings to the foxes? Are you at your wits end on how to stop the fighting and bickering? Dr. Leman shares tips how to deal with the sibling rivalry.
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“What do I do about my kids hating their siblings? I want them to like each other!”
The problem, as I see it, is that parents try too hard to make things even. This is actually causing the problem!
When you try to be fair with each child, you build up a spirit of competition between siblings.
The good news is that you can minimize this competition by treating your kids differently, because, after all, they are very different people!
Here is an example of how you could go about this with kids that are already bickering and competing:
Pull each kid aside separately and say, “Is he/she a bit over-the-top, or what?”
By doing this, you establish equality with your child and show them that you see the issue from their eyes. Now they don’t feel that they are the odd one out, and they feel heard.
A second example of something you can do with bickering kids is this:
Send them outside to fight.
Yep, even if it is 15 degrees outside! They will shorten the length of the argument, and learn that fighting does not pay off!
Tell them, “We have a no fighting house, so you will have to take it outside.” (Of course, that will then have to apply to Mom and Dad, too!)
There are some more great helps in my podcast, so you will want to listen to today’s episode!
Also, you might find my book Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours helpful.
Making Children Mind without Losing Yours
Another book mentioned in this episode is Sheet Music, you will find this book helpful and worthwhile.
Sheet Music: Uncovering the Secrets of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage