In India, parents often believe in keeping the age gap of children minimal. Though this insures a strong bonding as adults, but the childhood is often filled with fights, arguments and anger. Younger ones want to copy their elder siblings which sets in a sense of competition. Plus the insecurity about parents love often triggers massive fights. A parent has to insure that balance, peace and harmony are maintained among the siblings. Often feelings hurt in childhood come out in the form of anger and depression during adolescence. Here is how to manage your kids in such situations:
Coach them: Sometimes you need to be a coach and make them practice their manners. Yes, it will be difficult but your children need to learn and implement their best manners at home.
Teach and preach: Such fights are perfect to give important lessons to your children. Try and make them understand how evil this jealousy can be. Give real life examples. Make them accept that there will always be competition around them. They need to become humble and know where to fight.
Understand: As a parent it is important to know what your children perceive. Understand what they are going through and why there are these negative feelings towards his/her sibling.
Punish: This must be the last resort but sometimes punishment can bond kids as you are the common villain.
Children take time to understand what sibling love is. But it is the most important bond to cherish.
