How To Handle Sibling Rivalry

Sibling rivalry is very normal. My kids fight more than ten times a day. And yet they also cuddle more than ten times a day. One minute, they are best of friends, the other minute they are enemies. Sometimes a simple play pretend will turn our house into a World War zone. The reasons why they fight are very simple. They fight because of toys, on who is to become who. They fight because someone teases the other. They fight on to who is gonna use the computer first. I am beginning to think that even fight on who can annoy me first. That is really annoying and frustrating to watch. My head seems to blow when I hear them fight or argue over simple things.

It is hard to avoid this situation. Kids are kids, and they can always find a reason to fight. Now, what I do when their fighting escalates? At first, I ignore them, but when it seems that the other one is already harming the other, I step in. I talk to them (OK sometimes scream) to let go of each other and separate. When they see me like I am as raging as a bull, they stopped and started saying sorry to each other. When every body’s calm, we make up to it by thinking of a compromise that will work for both of them.

Yes you can never avoid siblings fighting over little things, but you can minimize the fight. My kids fight but I believe that it was just petty fights. They get along really well amidst all that. When they are both not in fighting mood, it so nice to hear them converse and watch them play. They never get jealous with each other. They never get jealous with their youngest baby too, even though Mommy is giving Chico more attention. They seem to understand that they are individual with each special needs.

How do we do it?

Oh well, we employ FAVORITISM.

Yes we have a favorite. Silly? Oh no not. I tell you this is very effective way to ensure the kids that they are being loved equally.. HOW? well we have our favorite first born (or kuya on our language) and we have our favorite second baby (Dico in the Philippines) and we have our favorite youngest baby (or bunso on our language). You try it and tell me how it will affect the kids.

Or you have some advise regarding siblings rivalry? Share it with me 🙂