When you have two or more kids, sibling rivalry is bound to rear its ugly head. I have three kids at home and when they are together, sibling rivalry happens almost every time. As a parent, it can be frustrating trying to sort out this problem.
The start of an argument can be about anything from toys to which cartoon channel to watch. It can happen suddenly as well, one minute they are happily playing together and the next, arguing and fighting with each other. At other times, you will notice name-calling, teasing and constant complaints of ,”It is not fair”. One child may also try to get the other one into trouble.
If you are looking for ideas on how to tackle sibling rivalry, below are some useful suggestions:
1. Praise your child for positive behavior
By praising positive behavior, you are reinforcing this idea of good behavior. If it is a specific behavior like helping a younger sibling to do something, mention the specific behavior.
2. Do not reward bad behavior or misbehavior
Do not give attention to the child who started the fight. If possible, remove the child elsewhere telling him not to repeat the bad behavior.
3. Teach your child some negotiation skills
Teach them the proper way to ask for something, to join in a game or to borrow a toy. Emphasize that every child must do it and respect each other. Practice this skill with your children in everyday life to make it a good habit.
4. Use a reward system
To reinforce good behaviors, you can use a reward system like a star chart. They have to play nicely together to collect the points or stars which they can exchange for something that they both want.
Always keep in mind that children are not adults and each of them needs some special attention from the parents. They also need constant motivation to learn something new especially good behaviors.
Do you have a particular method that works well in solving this problem? Please share some of your ideas here.