Sibling Rivalry

There is a Solution for Sibling Rivalry

I decided to create a Pillow Talk to address sibling rivalry between my 4 and 6 year old sons. While they had always gotten along in manner that would be considered normal, there were jealousies around my affection and attention that seemed to run deep. I wanted them to move beyond tolerating one another.

It took a few attempts before I felt like I was getting the hang of the process to deliver the Pillow Talk. The first time I tried it, I completely woke up my 6 year old son. The following day, I noticed no change in the way they related to each other. My next attempts were more successful, and my sons became aware that I was giving them what they coined “love talks” while they slept. They let me know with extra-tender kisses and hugs that they liked it.

After the third time I used my Pillow Talk, I started to notice a shift in the way the two boys related to each other. My older son showed greater kindness in speaking to his younger brother, and in volunteering to help him with everyday things like getting dressed and brushing his teeth. In fact, when my younger son would ask me to do something for him, my older son would often chime in, “Come here; I can do that for you.” And my younger son was eager to let him and to reciprocate by helping him with his projects as well.

Children as Teachers – Part 2

Nurse Nancy Beck discovers great parenting advice for reducing stress and reducing fear by listening to her children as teachers. “Why does it matter?”