Posted on May 19, 2009 in Latest News
A child who is the center of attention of parents will feel insecure and jealous upon the arrival of a new baby. In the same way, an older kid may feel jealous when the parents’ love is diverted to the sibling. While parents cannot control how a child feels, they can find ways to reduce jealousy and promote love among siblings.
Kids may show their jealousy in different ways- kids can become aggressive, show their resentment to their parents, or may become dull or withdrawn. Parents should recognize signs of sibling jealousy and try to convey that they love the child as much as the sibling.
How to Deal With Sibling Jealousy:
Parents can deal with sibling jealousy in the following ways:
- Avoid comparison: No matter how well a sibling performs, parents should avoid comparison to the other child. Comparing kids by saying , ‘learn from your sister’ or ‘why can’t you be like your brother’. sends a message to the child that the sibling is better and may give rise to feelings of jealousy
- Spend time: Spend time with each child by playing, going out for a movie, or by reading a book. This will reassure the child that he/she is loved and will reduce feelings of jealousy
- Listen: When siblings fight, listen to each child, instead of favoring the younger one. When parents listen in an unbiased way, they act in an impartial and fair way, and this will help in reducing sibling jealousy
- Nurture self-esteem: Each sibling would have unique abilities and talents. Parents should recognize their kids’ talents and nurture them. They should also find opportunities to encourage and appreciate them
As sibling jealousy mostly arises due to comparison and lack of attention, parents should minimize instances where a sibling is valued over the other. This will promote healthy behavior and co-operation among the kids.
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