Teaching Siblings to Watch Each Other's Backs

Kids spend most of their time with their siblings than others. It is in this stage that they develop relationships and skills in interacting with others. Kids argue and have conflicts first with their siblings before they argue with their parents or playmates. What they fight about are petty reasons in an adult’s point of view but for them every issue is a biggie! A parent, through positive interaction, can teach each of the kids to view the other person’s perspective so that he or she will learn how to be compassionate and control his or her own temper when faced with conflict. By ironing out issues among each other, kids learn to know more about themselves and their siblings. The bond that they develop in smoothing things out will be stronger than a blood compact.

I’ve always wondered what relationship Abel and Cain had. It would have been ideal if siblings today live with the thought I am my brother’s keeper opposed to Cain’s thinking.

How does one teach kids to take care of his brother or sister?

Table of Contents

Teach Empathy.

Make them step on the other’s shoes. Ask questions to make them see others’ point of view. By doing so they will realize how it feels to be the other person.

Don’t Accuse.

This is not an easy task, I have problems teaching my kids to not assume negatively of others and that they have no bad intention against them. Was I born with a thinking influenced by Thomas Hobbes? The key is to be calm and don’t be on either’s side. You are stepping on two different shoes too.

Listen.

Time and again, what toddlers (even adults) need is a listening ear. If you don’t listen, one of them would pick on a sibling to get your attention. Your 100% attention will also teach them that listening smooths out problems.

Be Role Models.

Shout and they shout, be calm and they would follow. Kids learn a lot from seeing and hearing, so parents should be careful with their own dealings. If they sense that mom is always there for dad and vice versa, they will know that being their sibling’s support is the right thing to do.

Play and learn.

Going out to the playground, biking, picking flowers and stones are some of the things my kids enjoy doing together. They also like doing arts and crafts. They enjoy each others’ company and show cooperation when doing the aforementioned activities. In the process, they pull out the potential of each. A positive rivalry of sorts.

Arguments, rivalry and apathy are all part of childhood. A little bit red, a cup of orange, a dash of yellow, a teaspoon of green, a pinch of blue, a dollop of indigo frosted in violet makes childhood meaningful, colorful and fun! You just need to sprinkle rainbow candies on top to make everything a little sweeter than usual. 🙂

Teaching Siblings to Watch Each Other’s Backs

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Comments

Dhemz says
April 22, 2011 at 10:07 pm

wow, ang galing naman….sarap talaga pag may sibs!…thanks for visiting mamidear…great to be here.

Tetcha says
April 22, 2011 at 11:22 pm

Nice post, Mommy! Life is really as colorful as a rainbow! Would you like to exchange links with my Pensive Thoughts? Here's my MM entry, by the way: http://www.pensivethoughts.com/2011/04/mommy-moments-rainbow-colors.html

anne says
April 23, 2011 at 12:35 am

This is a very good tip, thanks for sharing mine is here My Little Home

peachkins says
April 23, 2011 at 5:57 am

Nice post G!

nuts says
April 23, 2011 at 7:21 am

very good post! btw, grabbed your badge, followed and liked you on Facebook! 🙂 thanks for grabbing my badge. 🙂

nuts says
April 23, 2011 at 7:33 am

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EG Wow says
April 23, 2011 at 1:45 pm

A post filled with wisdom! I wish you a joyous weekend!

LIZ says
April 23, 2011 at 5:01 pm

A reply to your comment:
@ Mirage
Godady domain name? Why would you let it go? How about transferring it to me or to anyone so that they will be the one to to pay for it from then on. 🙂 I'd love to have one from you. Hehe. 🙂 What's the domain?

mommy jes says
April 23, 2011 at 11:50 pm

aw sweet photo! i am teaching my kids to do that as well…sana maging close sila 🙂

here's mine – http://www.lifesmemoirsonline.info/mommy-moments-baking-session-one/

Bette says
April 24, 2011 at 11:29 pm

wonderful post! I hope my daughter would have a sibling soon …

January says
April 25, 2011 at 8:49 am

lovely post sis..:)

Late Visit from MM. Hope you can visit My Mommy Moments thanks

kimmy says
April 25, 2011 at 2:01 pm

that was a great post, girl! thanks for sharing..

Christine says
April 26, 2011 at 6:44 am

a very meaningful post.. i give you the best post for the week! 😀 happy mommy moments!

sHeNgKaY says
April 26, 2011 at 12:11 pm

Late visiting from Mommy Moments! 🙂
My Rainbow
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Shengkay’s Journal
Shengkay Random Nest

darly says
April 27, 2011 at 10:58 pm

love the picture mommy, i almost cried when i first saw it- great capture

enjoy the rest of the week, hope you drop by my rainbow entry too.
I Love Darly!
Food and Passion

Cheerful says
April 28, 2011 at 3:07 pm

great post, i enjoyed reading! visiting late from mommy moments last week theme rainbow. -PinayMum – Mommy's Life Around…