Sibling Rivalry: When an Older Child Hates Their Younger Sister

Not medical advice. For emergencies, call your local emergency number.

It’s a common, yet distressing, situation when an older sibling struggles to bond with or actively dislikes their younger sibling. This post from Reddit’s r/Mommit details a mother’s struggle with her almost 4-year-old daughter who exhibits aggression and negative comments towards her 15-month-old sister. The older child expresses wishes for the baby to return to her ‘real parents’ and hits her. The mother describes her older daughter as sensitive, attached, and prone to crying and anger, while the younger is ‘chill.’ This article will explore potential reasons for this behavior, such as jealousy, changes in routine, perceived loss of attention, and the older child’s developmental stage. We will offer practical strategies for parents to manage and mitigate sibling rivalry, including fostering positive interactions, acknowledging feelings, setting clear boundaries, ensuring individual attention, and promoting empathy. We will also discuss when to seek professional help and reassure parents that while challenging, these phases can improve with consistent effort and understanding.

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