Welcome to our first book of the month feature: Siblings Without Rivalry by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish.
Lauren, our communications officer and mum of two children close in age has read this book recently and here’s why she thinks it’s a must-read for parents with two or more children…
I found this book to be a total game-changer; although it was originally published some time ago in 1987 all the content and advice is as useful now as it was then – after all siblings still bicker and get annoyed with each other in families all over the world, daily! It has been my go-to guide for attempting to create a more harmonious relationship between my children, who are 8 and 10, and definitely a book to refer to when specific ‘sibling spats’ occur in the future.
What sets this book apart for me, is the relatable advice on helping your kids to actually get along. The book shares real stories that any parent can relate to. The tips are like magic tricks that do really work, digging deep into the reasons behind sibling fights, helping me understand what’s really going on and how I can support my children to work things out. I like that the text is supported with cartoon illustrations describing situations that can be easily adapted to your own situation.
One aspect that I found really helpful that Siblings Without Rivalry tackles is the fairness issue – you know, the classic ‘sibling squabble’. The authors spill the beans on how to treat each kid as an individual while keeping things fair. It’s like having a secret weapon for maintaining peace in our family, and the way I approach squabbles now has changed, and although they do still happen generally they don’t last as long or get as crazy!
‘Siblings Without Rivalry’ is a parenting resource for turning sibling squabbles into sibling snuggles – well, sometimes if they’re in the mood! If you’re looking to create a happier, more connected family, then this book is a must-read. It’s been my so helpful for my family, and I’m sure it will be yours too.
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