Helping Siblings Get Along

If you have more than one child, you're bound to have some sibling rivalry. It's very hard for children to have to share us. In fact, when a younger sibling is born, virtually all children worry that they aren't good enough – why else would their parents have gotten a newer, younger, model?

The good news is that with your support, sibling relationships can grow into one of the most meaningful and lasting connections your children will have.

Why Siblings Fight—and How to Help Them Get Along

In addition to sibling rivalry, kids can have personality clashes, or clashes because they're different ages and want different things – or because they're close in age and want the same things!

Finally, like other humans who live together, even the most loving siblings have bad days and conflicts. And kids don't have the perspective to know it's not necessarily the other person's fault, or the skills to work out differences.

But your children can be friends for life, and your parenting can prevent and even transform sibling tensions. How?

Start Here: What Kind of Help Do You Need?

If your kids are fighting right now:

Learn what to do in the moment to keep everyone safe and begin building conflict-resolution skills.

→ Intervening in Sibling Fights

If you want to reduce conflict day to day:

These strategies help prevent sibling rivalry and create a calmer home environment.

→ How to Prevent Sibling Fighting

If you want to build a strong sibling relationship:

These approaches help your children feel close, cooperate more, and actually enjoy each other.

→ How to Help Siblings Get Along: 12 Ways to Build a Strong Relationship

Or explore the articles below to find what feels most helpful for your family right now.