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I admit it, I adore parenting books. I guess it’s because my passion is helping parents feel confident in their parenting, so I try to stay up to date in all the new theories and research out there.
My philosophy on parenting books (and blogs and advice) is that we have to “ingest the meat and spit out the bones”. Which means, take in the good stuff that really resonates with us and forget about the pieces that don’t.
Most parenting books have a hefty amount of information that I don’t really agree with very much. But, there is one book that I can’t think of a single thing I didn’t agree with, Siblings Without Rivalry
It’s a simple, helpful, quick read, that I recommend to everyone who has more than one child.
You can see that I have put tons of little flags in my copy. What you don’t see are all the highlighted sections and notes written inside too.
The authors of this book use their own personal experiences of raising children, as well as the hundreds of parenting workshops they have facilitated around the country, to explain exactly how to create loving relationships between siblings.
The reason I liked it so much, is that it shows parents how to teach their children how to communicate their feelings with each other and how to effectively cooperate together. Seriously, who doesn’t need those skills?
The best part for me was Afterword, because it discusses how to start off right with young siblings. My boys are only 1 and 4, and I read this when my youngest was still and infant. You see, I was already struggling with some sibling issues, and I wanted to do something about that early on. And this book helped me tremendously with that.
Since implementing some of the techniques in the book, my older son’s behavior towards his brother improved a lot. There are moments that we still struggle, but overall my children care for each other and we don’t have any major issues with sibling rivalry. Now, I know they are still quite young, but I think we are on the right path.
So, have you read this book yet? I’d love to know your thoughts about it.
More like this
Parenting Book Review: Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids
When Baby Wrecks the Preschooler’s Play
Helping My Child After the Birth of A New Baby
This post does contain affiliate links which means that I will be compensated if you purchase through my link. This is at no added cost to you and I only promote products that I love and think will be useful to you.
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I love love love this book. Actually, I read it for the first time when I was pregnant with my second child and it sort of had me worried about what I’d gotten myself into, but I’m so glad I read it when I did. I think it helped my husband and I to be more understanding and compassionate about what our oldest was going through and helped us to avoid common pitfalls right from the beginning. I think this book is so important, because at least in my house, nothing makes me as crazy as when my kids fight with each other, but thankfully (probably mostly thanks to this book), mine don’t too often. I also have a review on my website if you’re interested:
http://researchparent.com/siblings-without-rivalry/
Yep, me too. Nothing makes my blood boil more than when my kids fight with each other, but the book helped me take a step back and pause before intervening. I read it when my youngest was only 6 months old and I was a bit nervous too, but I think it prepared me so well. Of course, mine are still young, but I feel like we are on a great path to a good sibling relationship.
Amanda thank you for sharing! I love your thoughtful content and I share your love of parenting resources! Families come to me needing help understanding and communicating with each other, and teaching these skills early is so valuable!