Sibling Conflict
Wietske Boon
Sibling conflict is a normal and unavoidable experience within every family. I can assure you, this happens in all families. Through sibling conflict children get the opportunity to explore and to practice how to handle conflict situations within a safe environment. They learn to defend themselves and to compromise.
How can I help my children to handle conflict?
- Create opportunities for the siblings to solve problems together like what to do on a rainy day.
- Teach them to compromise and share and create opportunities where it is needed.
- Let them play games like ‘snakes and ladders’ and ‘Ludo’, this teaches them to take turns and that it is fine to win and sometimes to lose.
- Let them help around the house, caring for the pets or setting the table.
- When conflict arises, facilitate the process by telling them how to react and what to say in certain situations.
- Use hand puppets to demonstrate and resolve conflict situations in a playful manner.
- Parents should use effective and positive ways to handle conflict in their relationships as children tend to learn more through observation.
Wietske Boon, Play therapist, www.childtherapist.co.za; wietske@childtherapist.co.za