 By Natascha Jaffa Sibling relationships are so underrated! Most--if not all--research in psychology, family science, and social work has been focused on the relationships between parents and their children over the years, but it's excluding one very important aspect of a child's life: the relationships with their sibling(s). 💜 Siblings often confide in one another instead of their parents 💜 Siblings have the longest running relationships in our lives 💜 Evidence shows these relationships are key to promoting academic achievement. positive social behavior, and empathy (Sidhu, 2019). So how can you encourage your own relationships with your siblings and that of your children's? I'm so glad you asked! 1. Be on the lookout for sibling bullying and address it right away. This may include setting a boundary with your own sibling or disciplining one of your kids for something they said to the other. 2. Never compare siblings to one another. Comparison only builds animosity between siblings and promotes low self-worth. Mentally catch yourself before uttering the words, "Why can't you be more like your brother/sister?" Was this common in your household growing up? Perhaps you and your siblings need to have a conversation and expose those wounds to one another to start the healing. 3. Create opportunities for siblings to work together. Have them make dinner together or build a fort. Have big living room sleepovers or family game nights. Make being siblings fun rather than an inconvenience or a call for attention. Happy memories outlast the annoying ones! Haven't seen your sibling in a while? Get some one-on-one time in this month. ARE YOU UP FOR A CHALLENGE?! Print out this pack of 4 printables provided by Anne Willa, and your whole family can upgrade their kindness skills as a fun game!
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