Sibling Rivalry

Situation:
There are a number of reasons that kids quarrel, fight, and tease. Sometimes they are just bored, tired, or hungry. Other times they are seeking attention, looking for companionship, or trying to develop their own sense of power. Parents' stress and frustration often occurs because of children fighting. They interpret the fighting as “not liking each other” when that is seldom the reason. Understanding why kids quarrel can help.

Response:
The ISUE Family Life Field Specialist and member of the Parenting Coalition suggested having one of the series of winter parenting programs be on the subject of sibling rivalry. A one session class was booked. At this class, there was so much interest and so many questions that a second class was booked to finish the program.

Results:
Twenty-nine people attended the two-session program. Topics addressed were

• How birth order affects siblings.
• How birth order affects parenting styles
• Why children argue/fight with each other
• Tips for reducing sibling rivalry
• How to plant seeds of positive communication

Attendees participated in small group discussion, learning activities, and role plays along with viewing a video and listening to a short lecture. Evaluations were conducted. Twenty-eight people responded with feeling the workshop was highly beneficial. Twenty-seven people listed a change they would be making in their family environment. Fifteen sets of “Family mealtime cards” and eleven sets of “Getting Along” cards were sold as the result of this program.

Contact:
Janet Brown, Family Life Field Specialist
2023 S. Federal Ave.
Mason City, IA  50401
641.423.0844, FAX 641.423.2642
Email jmbrown@iastate.edu