How To Deal With Sibling Rivalry

Isn't it painful to see two of your own children being jealous of each other? Don't you hate it when they fight because one of them is feeling that he is being treated not as good as his sibling is? It could be the worst nightmare of a parent and if not treated well in time, could grow up into a very big problem which could last a lifetime.

If you are a parent facing such kind of a problem, read on and act now.

• Recognize where and which one of your children is feeling left out and give him that extra blanket of security that he needs.
• Such kind of a feeling usually starts as soon as your second baby arrives. Since you need to spend more time with the new born, your elder child naturally gets into an insecurity of not getting enough time from you.
• Taking care of such a thing not happening should start even before you go to the hospital.
• Make sure you have left your elder child with somebody responsible who will not beforehand tell him things like after the new baby you will not have time for him and be busy with the younger one all the time.
• After you are home, make sure both of you take out time for your elder child and sit and talk with him too.
• Even when you are busy with the baby, do not ignore him. Give him importance if you see him around.
• Involve your child by making him understand that the younger baby is small and can not do anything on his own. He would therefore need all of your help, including your elder child also.
• Take his help in doing baby chores sometime as he will feel responsible enough to take care of his sibling and get close to him also.

Although see to it that you never leave two children alone and also do not over indulge your elder child in the younger ones work. It is fine if he wants to be there, if he does not and wants to play instead, then leave him alone.
He might feel left out when everybody coming home gets a gift for the new one and nothing for him. At such a time you can keep some gifts from your side for him and make him feel equally important.

These were the things to do. The things that you should never do to avoid such a problem could be that you never compare both the children such as it leaves a negative impact on the other. Also, never, be partial between your children. Always have equal set of rules as equal expression of love for both of them.

Just take care that your behavior towards him does not change just because of the new child. You and only you can work towards making all your children feel equally secured and loved. If your elder child keeps getting such kind of security from both of you he will never feel left out and therefore never be jealous of his sibling.