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14 Strategies to Manage Sibling Rivalry

Updated: Aug 22, 2023

Building Strong Bonds and Teaching Life Skills


Sibling rivalry
Mom with baby while siblings fight in laundry room


Are your kids' constant fights getting on your nerves? Sometimes I wonder if they are doing that on purpose. It feels personal. Sibling rivalry is a natural part of growing up, and as a mom, you have a unique opportunity to guide your children through this phase and help them develop crucial life skills, preferably without going insane.



Here's a comprehensive guide with 14 strategies for nurturing sibling relationships and turning conflicts into valuable learning experiences to help you transform the chaos into a more peaceful and enjoyable environment.


14 Strategies to Manage Sibling Rivalry:

1. Understanding Developmental Stages

Acknowledge that each child is at a different developmental stage. Tailor your expectations and teaching methods accordingly. Younger children might not fully grasp complex social skills, while older ones may benefit from more advanced problem-solving techniques.


2. Reflection and Self-Awareness

Take a moment to reflect on your own biases and triggers towards certain children. Unconscious influences from your past experiences can impact how you interact with your kids. Like, do you identify one of your kids as one of your annoying brothers? Or do you identify yourself as one of your children and unconsciously take sides? Being aware of these biases ensures you treat each child fairly.


3. Emotional Regulation

Before intervening in a sibling conflict, ensure you're in a calm emotional state. Your emotions can influence your responses. Take a moment to regulate your emotions before addressing the situation.


4. Facilitating Communication

As a mediator, encourage open communication between your children. Let them express their feelings and frustrations while you listen without taking sides. This fosters a sense of being heard and understood.


5. Teaching Problem-Solving Skills

Guide your children through conflict resolution techniques. Teach them to express themselves, actively listen, and find compromises. Offer real-life examples and help them brainstorm solutions.


6. Using Scaffolding

Initiate the conflict resolution process by offering direct guidance, and gradually step back as your children learn to resolve conflicts independently. This approach, known as scaffolding, empowers them to apply problem-solving skills.


7. Individual Attention Matters

Spend quality one-on-one time with each child. This not only strengthens the parent-child bond but also reassures them of your love and attention, reducing feelings of rivalry.


8. Managing Jealousy

Address feelings of jealousy openly within the family. Discuss the unique strengths of each child and encourage them to appreciate one another's qualities.


9. Emotional Check-ins

Regularly engage in one-on-one conversations with each child. Ask about their feelings of love, understanding, and safety within the family unit. Address any concerns they might have.


10. Quality Time for Older Children

While younger children demand more hands-on attention, older children also crave dedicated time with you. Engage in activities that align with their interests and passions to nurture a strong connection.


11. Setting Clear Boundaries

Establish clear rules and boundaries for acceptable behavior. Consistently reinforce these rules and ensure that consequences for breaking them are fair and consistent.


12. Conflict Resolution Guide

Create a simple conflict resolution guide that your children can follow when you're not around. Include steps like taking turns speaking, using "I" statements, and finding compromises.


13. Encouraging Empathy

Teach your children to empathize with each other's feelings and perspectives. This helps them understand one another better and reduces the intensity of conflicts.


14. Celebrate Unity

Provide opportunities for your children to collaborate on tasks or projects. This shifts their focus from rivalry to teamwork, fostering a sense of unity and cooperation.


Nurturing sibling relationships requires patience, understanding, and consistent effort. By creating a safe and nurturing environment where conflicts are seen as opportunities for growth, you can guide your children toward building strong bonds and essential life skills without going completely insane. Remember, your role as a mom is pivotal in shaping their relationships and overall emotional development but going crazy doesn't need to be part of the deal.


Did you like these strategies? Receive free my "Mom's Guide to Managing Sibling Rivalry" with co-regulation and attunement additions when you download my complimentary Conflict Resolution Guide, which you can find HERE.



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