Leading Through Sibling Conflict

My younger sister used to poke me when I wouldn’t play with her. My first strategy was to tell her to leave me alone and…

Three Things to Understand about Aggression in Kids

There are likely few things more provocative to a parent than attacking behaviour from kids. The hardest challenge arises when our own kids are attacking…

Steering Through Sibling Conflict Without Losing Your Relationship

Parents routinely believe the greatest gift they can give their child is a sibling to grow up with. This thought can be quickly shattered when…

1. Assume responsibility for helping kids through the conflict

2. Protect your relationship with both children

When you focus on helping kids understand the emotions that drove them to act immature, then you are better positioned to help them act differently the next time. It is emotion that drives behaviour and that is where we want to do our work.

3. Use your relationship to solicit good intentions

4. Impose order through structure and routine

5. Strengthen the relationship between siblings through matchmaking.

When Sibling Conflict is Chronic

We need to lead through conflict, preserve our relationship with each child, and help them understand the emotions that drive them.