This may be a two-year-old being aggressive with their older siblings, or a child in a two’s program hitting classmates. I tend to think there are three (long run, four) parts to the answer: Coach being gentle You might read Hands are Not for Hitting by Aggasi, No Hitting by Katz, No More Hitting for … Continue reading When a Two Year Old Hits
So often when children argue, parents intervene and solve the issue. Two children are arguing over a toy, a parent enters and decides who gets the toy and what the other child should do while they wait. Or, two children are arguing over who goes first, a parent comes in and picks which one while … Continue reading When Children Argue, Build Their Skills
I’ll admit, I am about to way oversimplify an issue about complex family dynamics. There are people who spend years in therapy unraveling the impact from the next few points. That said, there are some fairly obvious ways your own sibling relationships, from growing up and from current exchange, can impact your children’s … Continue reading How Your Own Sibling Relationships Can Impact Your Children’s Sibling Relationships
So often when I write about siblings, it’s about how to best manage the bickering and the fighting or how to get them to stop grabbing toys from each other. Happily, this post is about ways to encourage their relationships! Teach social skills in general – If your children have difficulty taking turns or grabbing … Continue reading Tips to Encourage Sibling Relationships
It’s one thing to know positive discipline. It’s a whole other thing to apply this language consistently when there are siblings involved. With school letting out, families are likely to be spending more time together. Here are a few discipline rules between siblings to help for a smooth summer: Discipline individually – If you are … Continue reading Discipline Rules Between Siblings
While these may seem like small points, using comparisons and labels and praise between siblings can cause bad feelings. Comparisons can be direct like, “why can’t you be more like your sister?” or indirect, “look how neatly your brother keeps his room!” or, “your sister was on time, but we are always waiting on you.” Any … Continue reading A Few Hints to Avoid Sibling Rivalry
Following an upset in her bedroom, an older daughter storms into the kitchen saying, “I hate her! She is always ruining my stuff!” Unfortunately, common parent responses include giving logic or reason, “she is younger than you, you have to be patient,” or a demand, “she is your sister, she is going to be your best friend … Continue reading Allow Negative Emotions Between Siblings
Between siblings: Fair is not equal, fair is everyone has their needs met. It is okay for your discipline to be different for your three-year-old and your six-year-old for the same behavior. You might have a different expectation for your daughter and your son around a particular behavior. You might have to coach one child more … Continue reading Between Siblings: Fair Is Not Equal
Here are a few general tips to benefit sibling relationships: Fair is not equal, fair is everyone has their needs met – It’s okay that the discipline for a three-year-old is different than the discipline for a seven-year-old for the same behaviors. They are different children at different stages of development, meeting their needs may happen in very … Continue reading Helping Siblings Get Along
First, your own sibling relationships help shape your expectations for how your children might get along. My brother and I got along great growing up. We played together when we were little and hung out fairly often through college. I expect my girls to get along. When they do play and hang out, I count that as … Continue reading Your Own Sibling Relationships Can Impact Your Children’s Sibling Relationships
Parenting by Dr. Rene 