“You love my brother more than me”

Anna, the mother of two children, says: “Every day after work, I go to the store to buy groceries and necessary things. At home, I begin to spread my purchases. My four-year-old son Nikita likes to watch this lesson. Having seen among the purchases diapers intended for the youngest child, he starts shouting: “You always buy something for Sasha, but for me – nothing! It’s not fair!”

If there are two or more children in a family, parents often hear the phrase: “This is dishonest!” This can happen because you read the tales to the youngest child longer, allowed him to sleep longer in the morning, or gave him one cookie more than the older one. Children constantly consider how much sweets you give them and their brothers or sisters. They compare who you love more.

Parents find it difficult to cope with this rivalry between children, because adults begin to doubt whether they treat their children fairly (although in reality they try their best to be impartial). The desire to please both children puts great pressure on them. Parents also worry about the fact that the children do not like each other, and really want the children to get along with each other. Continue reading →