Problems in Parentsville : Sibling Rivalry

Do your kids seem to battle with one another from the moment they wake until they go to sleep again in the evening? Is the little voice inside your head screaming "Why can’t they just get along?!!!!"

Here are our top 5 tips for keeping sibling rivalry in check:-

1. Ditch the labels – the smart one, the wild one, the quiet one – you’re creating competition between siblings by using these labels. So stop.

2. Make time for each of them – kids fight to get attention, so give them each 10 minutes of positive one-on-one every day.

3. Stay out of it – when conflict kicks off, give them a chance to work it out on their own. If this doesn’t work, see tip 4!

4. Guide them in the right direction – demonstrate positive ways to resolve conflict, like taking time out, or letting the other person make their point. Make it clear everyone gets a turn to speak in this house

5. Step in – if things are escalating, it might be time to help them reach an agreement. Make it clear that actions have consequences –for example, you’re going to take the game away if they can’t take it in turns to play. Remember to follow through, otherwise they won’t learn for next time.

Look out for more "Problems in Parentsville"  - and how to solve them - on the blog all of this week.