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avatarRebecca
# of Thumbs Up Received (14)
Top 5 in: Discipline, Transitions and Readiness, Motivating StudentsTop 5 in 3 Topics

Do your kids fight like cats and dogs?

We want to hear from you! An upcoming issue of Start magazine will focus on siblings—from rivalry to revelry.

Start magazine is an EduGuide publication for parents and caregivers of infants through kindergartners

You can be part of the story by weighing in this topic here, or by writing to StartEditor@gmail.com.

Question applies to ages: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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avatarBrenda Nixon
# of Thumbs Up Received (7)
Top 5 in: Growth and Development, Preschool and ChildcareTop 5 in 2 Topics		 When my second daughter was born - 6 years after the first - I thought they'd never fight. My reasoning? There were so many years between them that they'd have different interests and not rival for toys or attention. Not!

I soon learned kids bicker regardless of their proximity in age.

I've also learned that same-sex sibs experience rivalry more frequently than opposite-sex ones. Having two girls, I heard my share of arguing, nagging and name-calling.

Through the years, and research, I've also been reassured that when kids are allowed to experience rivalry they often resolve their issues and grow into healthy adults with a healthy sibling relationship. My daughters are now young women; 21 and 27 years. They are the best of friends. Thankfully, they include me and the three of us laugh through shopping malls, at movies, and meals together.

My advice - both as a mom and a professional - is to allow some bickering among siblings. Don't interfere or referee every argument. When kids come to you, don't get hooked into their tattling. I used to teasingly say, "Come to me when there's blood." But my girls got the message that I wasn't going to step in (unless their situation escalated towards emotional or physical pain).

References:
Author, The Birth to Five Book: Confident Childrearing Right from the Start
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