Sibling squabbles

Children fall in and out of friends all the time but with siblings it can be a little trickier. When you are living in the same house, using the same potentially limited resources, there will always be the occasional disappointment. It is very rare for us all to get what we want, when we want it, all the time.

As I used to say to my two, when they started pushing and shoving.

“Do you want the baseball bat now, to finish this off quickly, or are you going to take some time to cool down and talk it through?”

Choosing to fight physically becomes a test of strength, where someone usually ends up getting hurt and the relationship can become more fear than friendship based.

I was fortunate enough to know about using conflict resolution. Learning how to tackle conflict is a life skill which will stand your children in good stead for the future and there is a simple structure which does not take long to learn.

I first used resolution skills with my girls when they were only 4 and 3, and it worked. I admit even I was surprised.

To learn about using this process with your children check out my new Parenting Isle destination, The Frustration Free Fields collection, available via the impact Tutoring shop www.impacttutoring.co.nz

Siblings are usually the family member you have the longest relationship with, so let’s help our children learn to make it a good one.