Sibling rivalry: Should parents be alarmed?

Philippines
April 19, 2011 5:36pm CST
We have heard many sibling rivalries especially amongst children. Problems about sharing things to another, jealousy and a whole lot more. Some says that it is natural for siblings to compete against each other. M0st especially if they think that they're not treated equally. As the grow up and become more mature in the broadsense, these rivalry lessens and gradually disappears. But sometimes things get worse, some children tend to be still rivals until adulthood. Do you believe that they would still be rivals even at mature age? Does the parents has to act quickly before its too late?
3 responses
• United States
19 Apr 11
Hello chocokreme and a warm welcome to myLot. Does the parents has to act quickly before its too late? Parents from the very beginning need to make sure they treat their children equally in all aspects. Sometimes children still tend to feel the emptiness and or jealousy and rival for the slightest reasons. So my thinking is that yes once a parent recognizes it is an issue definitely act right away. I find that later in life they do or at least in my case with my two, a boy and a girl they begin to understand and care for each other more.
• Philippines
20 Apr 11
Some parents take this for granted. Thinking its just a kiddie petty quarrel. They should also talk to the kids m0re often as a group to strengthen family ties.
• United States
19 Apr 11
I say most definitely yes. Treat your children equally in all things because if they are jealous when they are children more times then not they will be jealous of each other as adults as well. As much as my Mom & Aunt loved each other there was also some jealousy issues between them because my Grandmother favored my Mom over my Aunt. It's the same between my sister & I. My Grandmother, Mom, & Aunt favored my sister over me & my cousin as well & because of that my sister & I have had many fights even as adults because of the bitter jealousy between us. So learn a lesson from this, do NOT treat one child better then another because they will notice this & this will cause this child to become very jealous over their sibling.
• Philippines
20 Apr 11
Children are observant. They can notice the slightest difference in their environment. Especially if there are other kids around them they tend to be very sensitive. So to us adults parents, or aunts or uncle we should treat kids around us equally
• United States
19 Apr 11
no they will learn to get along in future when they need ech other the most