I don’t have multiple children (yet) but I bought this book because I wanted to understand how to prevent sibling rivalry. I have not spoken to my older sister for 8 years now because of her perceived rivalry. For her, she needed to achieve everything before me. I was not allowed to do anything that she didn't do first including attending my own graduation, learning new skills, having a boyfriend, getting married, and most likely having children. This book taught me that it was largely our upbringing. All our lives we were brought up being compared, her being told that she's older. As children, when we gave alms in church, she was always given more money to put in the basket because she was older. If not these scenarios, then we'd have to do coin tosses or split our chicken wings evenly. These reinforcements communicated that she always either needed to have more or tolerate being even. I know what not to do now if I have more than 1 child.
This is the best book about child raising I have ever read. It's also a super easy and entertaining read. When I checked it out from the library I read it in one sitting and then liked it so much I bought it for myself (and I don't own many books).
I bought this book as a replacement copy to one that I loaned to a friend and never got back. As a Registered Social Worker I like this book, not only for my clients, but for myself and my family. It is easy to read and offers some great strategies for avoiding the typical pitfalls parents fall into when raising siblings. Every parent with more than one child should read this book.
I bought this book to help prevent my biological children and foster children from killing one another. We've noticed a huge difference and the kids even refer to each other as "best friends." I'm so thankful for this book!
When I was pregnant with my second child, I was very worried about this subject, because I have a horrible relationship with my sister, who constantly competes with me, even today. She wants to be the favour child for my parents with a price of scarifying herself to be who she really wants to be. This book helps me! And it is worth of re-reading it from time to time.
I will be re-reading this book many times over the next decade or so (my kids are currently 1 and 3, so a bit young for this, but it'll be good to start out practicing these techniques). Also see their book 'How To Talk So Kids Will Listen And Listen So Kids Will Talk' - a lot of good points made in both books.
This one talks about many issues such as fighting, comparing, role prescribing etc. The author gives great examples from family situations. It is a great reading for a parent with two or more children and even for those who have just one kid because their kid interacts with other kids.
