Uncle CHiN
Dear Uncle CHiN,
What can I do about sibling rivalry between two young children? This seriously
affects our homeschooling.
Signed, Pulling Hair Out
Dear Baldy,
Make sure each child has your total attention at least once or twice a week.
Let the others know that "It’s Mary’s day today," and then do special things for
that child. In fact, do special things for each child at different times. For instance,
have one child pick a place to go for a particular day, then give the others a choice
if they want to come along or not.
Also, talk seriously with each sibling. Tell each one that he/she is precious to you,
so you expect them to love each other, too. Praise each child when he/she does something
nice for the other sibling.
Another tactic you might try: I recommend you make a study of the children's interactions.
Frequently squabbling takes on a pattern--becomes a "game," if you will--with Child A
masterfully pushing Child B's buttons, and Child B exploding in a way that thoroughly
delights Child A. Then, you know, come the predictable retaliations, and the counter-retaliations,
and then each side escalates . . . It sure gets old, doesn't it?!
With older children, (say, age ten and up) it is sometimes possible to make them
see the pattern. You can then give them the power and opportunity to break the pattern,
(if they truly want to—sometimes fighting is quite literally a game, and one or
both actually enjoys their roles in it.) It's especially useful to help Child B, the
usual victim, to learn to control his or her response.
Then, again, maybe you are the problem. Watch yourself, it may be your signals that
make them fight for attention. This requires soul-searching, and I’ll leave you to your own private search.
Fondly, Your dear old Uncle CHiN
TOP
About Testing
Deducting Homeschooling Expenses
Homeschooling through the Summer
On Doing "Nothing"
On Loving Your Children's Company
Over Eager Mom
Private Time for Mom
Sibling Rivalry
Teaching Children at Different Grade Levels
The Many Ways to Homeschool
Uncle CHiN on ADHD
Unit Studies
What About the Prom?
Winning over a Skeptical Grandma
TOP
|
