“Give that back!” “Mom, he took my stuff!” – Sound familiar?
If you are tired of breaking up sibling fights in your home; leaving you unsure whether you should interfere or head for the hills, welcome to the club! The sad reality is that the combination of squabbles could make life at home much more stressful than it needs to be.
A family is a lot like a sports team where not all of the players get along or like each other. But, that’s not a ticket to be mean or disrespectful. Our roles as parents are to model good sportsmanship, teach skills, and intervene when necessary.
So what are the top 10 arguments about and how should we handle it?
It is important to cultivate a loving, accepting environment instead of a competitive one. Siblings should be encouraged to support each other and cheer for each other’s successes. Avoid comparing your kids and love each one best. Your focus needs to be on strengthening and sweetening your relationship with each child.
Parents don’t have to maintain equality at all times. Children have different needs and one child is bound to get more, because he needs more. But the important point is that each child feels secure in knowing that when he needs something from you, it will be given.
Set aside “alone time” with each child and make sure to ask each one at least once a week: “Do you know what I love about you?”
In the end we want our kids to have more memories of happy times than conflict or strife. Our role as parents is to make sure that everyone feels equally loved, nurtured and supported, while setting limits on the disruption that constant fighting can cause.
Source: www.netmums.com, www.focusonthefamily.com, www.askdrsears.com, www.huffingtonpost.com, drdavewalsh.com, lisovative.com, www.ahaparenting.com, kidsactivitiesblog.com, www.babysitting.net, www.parenting.com, www.psychologytoday.com, kidshealth.org, www.familycircle.com, www.womansweekly.co.nz, www.businessinsider.com, www.med.umich.edu, www.today.com, www.supernanny.co.uk
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.