Fostering a Loving Sibling Relationship

Taking the time to encourage and nurture a loving relationship between your children is a gift for your entire family.

Siblings share a kinship but that kinship does not always translate into friendship. While the children are siblings by no choice of their own, the creating of mutual understanding and compassion facilitated and cultivated by the parents is priceless. To have children who truly love, support and respect one another knits the family together in profound ways. Regardless of gender, true friendship between siblings is endearing and rewarding.

 First and foremost, it is important to get siblings on the same team. One for all and all for one! By promoting the team mentality, parents acknowledge that everyone belongs together and is committed to one another. Once there is commitment, pride will surely follow. Family pride is a common thread which binds the entire family together and lays the groundwork for a lifetime of mutual admiration.

 Do not compare one child to another or show preferential treatment as this fuels tension and competition. Rather, highlight the best attributes of each and encourage siblings to see the best in one another. Parents need to teach their children to accept one another’s weaknesses and to celebrate one another’s achievements. Families who stand side-by-side cheering on the family soccer player who may spend a great deal of the game sitting on the bench and who sit side-by-side quietly listening to a long, painful piano recital are families who value mutual support. They will reap the rewards of simply investing in one another.

 It is important to help our children become aware of their siblings’ needs and show empathy for them. It is key to promote tenderness between siblings. Parents who show affection physically and through loving comments towards their children will see their actions and words echoed by their children (towards one another). In addition, children will learn to respectfully disagree, sacrifice, encourage and lead when their relationships are firmly rooted in love.

 Giving your children plenty of opportunities to enjoy fun and memorable times together helps foster and maintain good sibling relationships. Any time spent together as a family, whether at the park, the beach, the bowling alley or the library will strengthen relationships through shared experiences. Right here in Marlborough, this could mean sledding at Jericho Hill, bike riding through the trails at or hiking in Callahan State Park. At home, playing board games, baking together and joining forces through chores cultivates unity and brings siblings together in harmony. 

Simply stated, families who “Live, Laugh and Love” together give their children the best opportunities to cultivate deep, lifelong friendships.