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Can you stop sibling rivalry? Well, maybe not, but you can try. Here are some tips from Stacy Nagel, Ph.D.
* Be certain that each of your children are getting some time alone with you. It's important that each child feel that they have a niche of their own with YOU, too!
*Don't pressure your children to play together, go places together, be affectionate together, etc. Allow them the opportunity to find their own activities and interests away from their sibling. Children who are given the freedom NOT to interact with their siblings, generally enjoy their sibling relations much more when they are with their siblings.
*Research indicates that it is a good idea to monitor your children's sibling rivalries, but during middle childhood, direct intervention into their arguments can sometimes have the opposite effect of what you want. That is, sibling research indicates that when parents jump into sibling quarrels, they often protect the weaker (usually younger) sibling against the stronger (usually older) sibling. This intervention has the effect of escalating the battle as the stronger sibling feels resentful and the weaker sibling feels like they can fight back more because the parent is "on their side". It's best to let your children work things out themselves at this age unless there is actual violence.
*source: Parenthood.com
http://www.parenthoodweb.com/
