While siblings are often excellent playmates and, in later years, best friends and confidants, arguments among siblings are bound to occur and are absolutely normal—even though they can be a parent’s biggest headache! It is important to recognize the individual personalities, interests, and needs of each of your children and know how to effectively diffuse conflicts that arise so that your family can be happy and healthy.
Sometimes, your child’s behaviors may cause you to feel embarrassment, frustration, and even anger, and as a result you may feel like yelling or spanking your child or calling him or her names. These responses are ineffective and may increase your child’s risk of becoming a bully.
While a sibling is a very special gift that your child will treasure throughout her life, in addition to the excitement, she may at times feel ignored, jealous, or even angry. While preparing your home for the arrival of the new baby, it is important that you also prepare your older child.
Just as important as teaching your child to safely cross the street, gun safety should be part of every family’s safety conversation. This conversation could prevent a tragedy or may even save your child’s life.
During the warm spring, summer, and fall months, children left alone in or around cars are at a higher risk of suffering from heat stroke. On a 70-degree day, even with car windows slightly rolled down, the temperature inside a car can exceed 120 degrees in 20 minutes.