Here are some tips to help your kids build healthy,
lasting friendships with one another.
Encourage teamwork.
Working towards a common goal can help people feel
connected and build stronger relationships. This is why
companies spend time doing team building exercises
with their staff. The same is true in families. Give the
kids a project, like cleaning the toy room or freshening
up the landscaping in the yard and have them work on it
as a team. You can even try making it a competition such
as challenging the kids to clean a room faster than their
parents. Playing board games or backyard sports with
teams can also have the same team building effects.
Have fun together.
Spending time together as a family doing things that
you enjoy is a simple way to build sibling bonds. Pick
something that everyone can participate in such as a bike
ride, a movie night, or a fun outing that builds memories
and relationships. “My kids love having sleepovers
in each other’s rooms each weekend.” says Stephanie
Loux, mom of three. “It makes a mess and it’s not always
convenient for us as parents, but we love and encourage
their excitement for spending time together.”
Encourage healthy conflict.
Settling disagreements in a healthy and respectful way
is a tool that all of us need to learn to be successful. A
sibling is usually the first person in our lives that we
disagree with on a regular basis. This gives parents an
opportunity to teach kids how to handle conflict.
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