Therapy tips on supporting your children’s sibling relationship
When you have siblings, arguing, bickering and fighting is inevitable. We all have memories from our childhood of the moments we pushed our siblings buttons, fought over a toy or held resentment for not being the one able to sit in the front seat.
These are seemingly small issues that seem like the biggest deal as a child. And although we can look back as adults and laugh, we took those moments seriously as children which, as a parent now, you notice in your own children.
While this fighting is common for children and their development, it can be a challenging situation for parents to manage. If you’re struggling to manage sibling conflicts in your family, our Family Therapy services can provide professional guidance and support to improve family dynamics and communication.
Think about this as a developmental step for your children. They are learning complex conflict resolution with the limited perspective, skills and life experience of children.
Here are some tips for how to handle it when your kids are fighting:
Remember that it’s natural for siblings to fight from time to time, and it’s important to teach your children how to resolve conflicts in a positive way. While it is your job to enforce discipline when necessary, conflict between siblings is an opportunity for connection. In supporting each of your children through these conflicts, you can guide them in gaining a deeper understanding of one another.
In the moments you find yourself overwhelmed with the constant arguing, remember the growth in their relationship that can come from facing these conflicts with empathy and intentionality. If you need more support with your children’s relationship, connect with Decade2Connect today!
