How To Avoid Jealousy Between Siblings?

Jealousy is a natural feeling that raises its head when a person feels that another person or thing is threatening his or her position in the life of a person who is relevant to him or her. Jealousy between siblings is common, and it is common for a child to have such feelings even before the birth of a new sibling or immediately after that birth.

Some experts believe that jealousy manifests spontaneously when a child is told of the arrival of a new sibling. Later, it is part of the adjustment period when the child begins to realize that he or she is no longer the center of the family’s attention. A hint or fear that he or she will lose the love or attention of the people who are most important to him or her can trigger many different emotions in a child.

While jealousy between siblings is common, parents should try their best to prevent it. Strong feelings of jealousy or jealousy can cause anxiety and depression in a child and can negatively affect his or her self-esteem. All of this also easily creates negative tensions that affect the entire family.

What causes jealousy between siblings?

Fear is the basis of jealousy. The child’s mind is dominated by the distressing thought that he is losing the love and affection of his parents. Jealousy occurs when a child feels that his or her feelings are not being responded to with the intensity or density he or she wants.

Another thing that causes jealousy is a change in the attitude of parents before the birth of a new child. A child who is used to seeing their parents in certain ways and treating them in a certain way can find it difficult to tolerate this. The child may begin to imagine that they are substitutable.

Sometimes parents resort to persuasion and even intimidation tactics that can be harmful. For example, a child may interpret the phrase “if you don’t eat now, the mother doesn’t play with you” negatively so that she begins to believe that the mother is only playing with a child who fulfills her wishes.

Comparison can also cause jealousy and should be avoided in all situations. Every child is unique and should be valued just the way he or she is. Contrary to popular belief, a younger sibling may also feel jealous of their big sister or brother. In some cases, jealousy is reciprocal. The fact that a child feels that his or her sibling is favored is always a potential source of jealousy.

Consequences of jealousy

Jealousy can lead to negative consequences for a child’s behavior. The following are some examples of why parents should strive to prevent jealousy between siblings:

• The child may begin to behave irritably or aggressively.
• The child may become withdrawn or sad.
• The development of a small child may slow down or even decline. For example, a child who has already learned to dry can start watering their bed.
• The child may have repeated seizures.

All of this type of behavior tends to get more attention.

How to avoid jealousy between siblings?

It is important for parents to strengthen their child’s self-esteem. Her insecurity about the new sibling can be dispelled when she feels she is an important part of the family and feels that her parents are behaving fairly and equitably.

Parents need to give the older child plenty of time and attention even after the little sibling is born. They should also discuss with the child what living with a small baby means in practice and what changes will be seen in the family’s daily life. It is good for the baby to be involved in the pregnancy process in some way.

The better the older child’s daily routines can be maintained, the better. A baby’s daily life brings a lot of changes to the home, but they shouldn’t affect an older child’s eating and sleeping schedules, for example.

When a conflict arises between siblings, parents should not choose a side, but remain a neutral party and either let the children figure out the situation themselves or help them sort it out. Parents need to be understanding of both children, as it is likely that both of them will feel right. Parents need to listen to both children so that both of them feel the parents understand his or her point of view. This is the best way to avoid jealousy between siblings.