This week we had a great conversation about sibling rivalry with Dr. James Crist.  Dr. Crist is the Clinical Director of the Child and Family Counseling Center in Woodbridge, Virginia  He has worked with the center since 1990. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, he works with a wide variety of clients, including children, adolescents, adults, and families.  He is the author of seven self-help books for kids.

This is what we covered in this week's episode:

1. Why sibling rivalry is common.
2. The average amount typical kids fight.
3. What “normal” sibling conflict looks like.
4. The advantages of a “consultant parent.”
5. What a consultant parents looks like.
6. The advantages of giving kids time to resolve conflict.
7. Why kids are more likely to fight when they are closer in age.
8. Differences between kids that affect sibling interactions: temperament, interests, age, resilience, intelligence, and mental health disorders.
9. How parents address the individual strengths of their kids, without fueling the rivalry by making the other child feel inferior.
10. Ways to encourage positive relationships between two siblings struggling to get along.
11. The importance of validating your child’s feelings.
12. The affect birth order has on sibling interactions.
13. Sources of sibling conflict.
14. The difference between sibling rivalry and sibling conflict.
15. How to help kids deal with jealousy amongst themselves.
16. Advantages and disadvantages of having kids share a room.
17. Common ages kids start sibling conflict.
18. What to do when kids physically fight.
19. Strategies for teaching kids to solve their conflict on their own.
20. When you may want to look for professional help to resolve sibling rivalry.
21. How to use family meetings to improve family relationships.
22. Family rules to implement to avoid conflict.
23. The power of looking for the positive in your children.
24. Five ways to forge a friendship. 

Mom Squad Challenge:

1. Listen More.  Talk Less. When we listen more we are teaching them they matter and their opinions count.  
2. Avoid the impulse to tell your children how to solve their problems. Ask open-ended questions and let them come up with the solution. 

Resources:

www.jamesjcrist.com

www.loveandlogic.com