7 Golden Tips To Handle Sibling Rivalry

If you are a parent of two or more kids, this is something that will definitely resonate with you.

How to stop siblings from fighting.

As a parent myself, I know how difficult it is when you come across your kids fighting. Sometimes, just separating them doesn't solve the problem.

So how do you stop this sort of rivalry from ever happening again?

Well, that is the purpose of this article; to help you, the parent find a lasting solution to this problem.

Sibling rivalry is normal to happen in almost every home. The fighting and argument-making can sometimes become very exhausting to the parent, and if care is not taken, it could go out of hand, turning into something you might not like.

That is why every parent needs to take note of the tips about to be listed to help keep the home a safe haven for all.

But before we look into the tips to help prevent your children from fighting, it will be convenient to look into some of the causes of these sibling rivalries.

What causes siblings to fight?

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Siblings rivalry can be very stressful for parents, and at times, it affects the parent's mental health too.

I know how that feels because I have been there often times.

Finding out what could be the main reasons why siblings fight revealed something to me that I never thought could be the real reason.

Some experts who have been researching why kids behave in specific ways indicated that most of these fights are basically to get the most love and attention from the parent.

Mind blogging, right? That was exactly how I also felt about that revelation.

 However, other factors contribute to these conflicts, as seen below.

  Greed;

This can mostly be seen if the kids are of the same gender and age. They will have the same preference for toys they want to play with, and if one identifies that the other sibling is always being selfish with that toy, that could be a significant trigger to fight.

  Attention;

As mentioned earlier, the root cause of kids fighting is for the parent's love and attention.

This is commonly seen in the eldest in most homes simply because, before the other siblings come into the family. The most senior used to be the center of all attention, and if that seemed to be shared among him and the siblings, that could cause jealousy and lead to rivalry.

  Boredom;

It is challenging for children to process boredom, and most of the children channel that into picking up fights with each other.

When children get tired or frustrated whiles doing nothing, it is common to see rivalries.

  Name-calling;

Do your children often tease each other? Well, this can also be a cause. Not everyone can be ignored when they are being humiliated, so it is for kids too.

You can relate to some of the listed causes of fighting between siblings above.

That being said, we can now move on to look at how you can now prevent your children from fighting each other.

Tips to stop kids from fighting.

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1. Recognize their needs;

Each child is different and so will be interested in something that the other sibling might not. As a parent, you must ensure you provide whatever your children want to the best of your ability.

If they both want the same thing, instead of getting just one for them to share, try and get another in addition, making them two for them to share.

2. Set rules;

Another way of preventing kids from rivalry is by setting strict rules, which you must see to them that they are being followed.

Setting rules will let the kids know there will be consequences for every action they take, and fighting each other won't be left off the hook.

3. Set up a routine;

Fighting can only happen when kids have free time on their hands. Why not set up a routine where they can use that free time to do something productive?

Assign roles to them and always follow up to know if they have been doing what is asked of them.

4. Be a role model;

Children always learn what they see, and you can use this to help them improve. Model the life you want them to live, and they will copy that from you.

If you wish to see them in an excellent cordial relationship, show that to them by being nice to people and your kids.

5. Solve problems together;

When you do this, you are preparing them for life in general, where fighting is prohibited in problem-solving.

Sit them down and try to identify the problem with them. When you do find what the problem is, ask them to think of a more peaceful and understandable way to solve the problem.

6. Be neutral;

When your kids start with their arguments, they may come to you to report each other. When this happens, try as much as possible to permanently stay neutral.

Don't back up one child against the other; instead, be involved in helping them solve their issues amicably.

7. Give them a listening ear;

Letting them vent out how they feel can help solve the situation halfway. Give them room whenever they are having challenges to report what happened and calm them down.