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SIBLINGS 183
Sibling conflict
Conflict usually occurs when people are frustrated or feel that they are not being
heard. Each family has a unique dynamic, but here are some common problems.
Rivalry Favouritism
Sharing parents with a sibling Sometimes, a teen may feel
can be hard for a teen. They excluded or as if the parent prefers
might feel their sibling gets their sibling. This favouritism can
more attention, and that they be real without the parent
need to compete with them. realizing. To ward off perceived
Parents need to be alert to any bias, parents need to ensure no
perceived inequalities. one is left feeling excluded.
Problem behaviour Interfering
Setting firm family rules will At a time when teens want
help parents and siblings more privacy, invasion into
alike to know what is their personal space and
acceptable. When a belongings can cause
teen breaks the rules, disagreements. Parents can
parents should try to help by setting clear rules
understand the feelings about space and privacy.
underlying the behaviour.
Blended families P ARENT TIPS
A blended family is when two adults bring Expanding families
together their children from a previous • Try to do things together as a new family,
relationship into the same home. giving everybody a chance to choose
Households can be thrown into disarray activities that everyone can enjoy.
while everyone makes space for the new
arrivals and reassesses their place in the • In a blended family, have one-on-one
family dynamic. time with your biological children.
A family unit of step-parent, biological Keeping that bond strong is important for
parent, step-siblings, and half-siblings can children to accept the changes – they can
be tricky for everyone to navigate and feel often feel a huge loss of a parent as the
at home with. Small steps and allowing relationship dynamics inevitably change.
time for everyone to adjust are the keys to • Be clear about who disciplines who in the
household harmony. step-family. Too much change can cause
confusion and possibly anger.
▷ Being friends, too
Seeing step-siblings as friends can
help to resolve conflicts. Enjoying
this friendship can be rewarding.
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