Parents become exasperated at their children ’ s constant bickering . “ Why can ’ t they just get along , for once ?” they ask themselves repeatedly . Yet they fail to realize that the wounds of sibling rivalry run deep , and the causes are varied when two children vie for attention . This constant competition often travels into adulthood turning mature people , once again , into bickering children .
WHY DOES SIBLING RIVALRY EXIST ?
Some researchers speculate that it has to do with parental attention . All children vie for their parent ’ s affections and attention . When one child receives more , in their perception , conflict usually ensues . What you end up seeing is jealousy , one-upping , and unhealthy competition . Each child , in essence , is saying , “ Look at me ! Don ’ t you see how good I am ?”
Some parents shift their attention to the child that is excelling , and some completely ignore the child . It is usually not intentional on the part of the parents , but it still does exist . It ’ s not that the parent doesn ’ t love the childthey are just being overlooked
“ Love should permeate a family- not competition . Love should not be based on what you have done , but on who you are . You are a child of God , and you have worth . Pray that others see you as He sees you .”