SIBLING
RIVALRY
Prepared By
Neera Maharjan
BN 1st year
SIBLING RIVALRY
The term Sibling rivalry refers to the natural jealousy and
resentment of children to a new child in the family. Simply,
sibling rivalry refers to the jealousy, competition and
fighting between brothers and sisters.
It usually involves the arrival of a new infant but may be
associated with anyone who joins the family. It is a concern
for almost all parents of two or more kids. Problems often
start right after the birth of the second child.
Sibling rivalry usually continues through out childhood and
can be very frustrating and stressful to parents
CAUSES
There are many factors that contribute to sibling rivalry:
1. Competition: Each child is competing to define who
they are as an individual. As they discover who they are,
they try to find their own talents, activities and interests.
They want to show that they are separate from their
siblings.
2. Children feel they are getting unequal amount of
attention, discipline and responsiveness.
3. Children may feel their relationship with their parents
is threatened by the arrival of new baby
4. Childrens developmental stages will affect how mature
they are and how well they can share the parents attention
and get along with one another.
5. Children who are hungry, bored or tired are more likely
to become frustrated and may start fights.
6. Children may not know positive ways to get attention
from or start payful activities with siblings, so they pick
fights instead.
7. Family dynamics also plays a [Link]. One child may
remind a parent of a relative who was particularly difficult,
and this may subconsciously influence how the parents
treats that child.
8. Children often fight more in families where parents
think aggression and fighting between siblings is normal.
9. Children not having time to share regular, enjoyable
family time together (like family meals, gatherings) and
can increase the chances of children engaging in conflicts.
10. Stress in the parents life can decrease the amount of
time and parents attention, can give the children increase
sibling rivalry.
11. Stress in children lives can shorten their fuses and
decrease their ability to tolerate frustration leading to more
conflicts.
12. How parents treat their kids and react to conflict can
make a big difference in how well siblings get along.
To minimize the sibling rivalry the toddler should be
prepared for the birth of a sibling. It is better to prepare the
children when parents become aware of pregnancy and
other preparation for the anticipation of new baby.
MANAGEMENT
Separate the child from mother before the arrival of new
baby.
Keep the toddlers routine as close to normal as possible.
Explain realistic situation to toddler like newcomer (baby)
is small depended baby who need more care.
Involve the toddler in care of the new baby eg getting
diaper
Try not to compare children to one another.
Let each child be who they are.
Enjoy each of your childrens individual talents and
success.
Set kids to cooperate rather than [Link] have them
race the clock to pick up toys instead of racing each other.
Pay attention to the time of day or other patterns in
when conflicts usually occur.
Teach your kids positive ways to get attention from
each other. Show them how to approach another
child and ask them to play and to share their
belongings and toys.
Being fair is very important, but it is not the same as
being equal.
Plan family activities that are fun for everyone. If
child have good experience together, it acts as a
buffer when they come into conflict. Its easier to
work it out with someone you share warm memories
with.
Make sure each child has enough time and space of their
own. Kids needs chances to do their own thing, play with
their own friends without their sibling and to have their
space and property protected.
Resolving conflicts.
References
Upreti K(2071) Child Health Nursing 4th Edition, Hima
Uprety Publication, Pg no 55.
Adhikari T(2015) Essentials of Paediatric Nursing 2nd
edition, Vidhyarthi Pustak Bhandar Pg no 109.
Shrestha T Essential Child Health Nursing 1st Edition,
Medhavi Publication Pg No 168.
Internet Resources
[Link]/yourchild/topics/[Link]
