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Articles about Siblings

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Two children fighting

Bullying: What parents should know

How do you know if your child is being bullied? Speaker, author and academic Dr Michael Nagel looks at the impact of bullying and how parents can recognise the signs and help children build the skills to combat unwanted attention and bullying.

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Family playing with new baby in bed

Birth order: A guide to personality traits

Why is it that despite being from the same family, growing up with the same parents, the same rules and values, children can turn out to be so different? Understanding birth order can help parents to better understand, manage and motivate a child.

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Happy children having fun in summer park

Parenting your children as individuals

For families with more than one child, sibling rivalry and the genetic lottery that gives rise to a range of talents can complicate parenting. An important thing for parents to recognise is that their children are individuals with their own strengths.

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Father holding son in the outdoors

‘High quality’ rough and tumble play

If you watch a litter of kittens pouncing, chasing and batting you will notice that in spite of occasional yelps it is clearly playful. Children chase and wrestle too. Associate Professor Richard Fletcher looks at the value of rough and tumble play.

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Children fighting in the kitchen

Siblings fighting it out can be healthy

As a parent, it can feel like you are spending more time playing referee to your children’s disagreements than parenting. The good news is sibling conflict is good for them and parents are being advised to not jump into referee mode too quickly.

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Father and son playing with building blocks together

The truth about parenting an only child

Proponents of larger families claim 'only children' may be spoiled, lonely, or selfish. But science shows this is wrong. Known as 'only child syndrome' research now suggests there is no difference and there may even be benefits to being an only child.

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Little boy with Down syndrome eating popsicle in the swimming pool with his family

Growing up with a special needs sibling

Being raised with a brother or sister with significant disabilities can bring benefits including opportunities to learn resilience and empathy at a very young age. However, it also brings with it some challenges for both the children and the parents.

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Little girls with laptop

Coping with sibling rivalry and conflict

Sibling rivalry is often about gender, position order, stage and age of development. Child psychologist Dr Fiona Martin believes the most effective way for parents to cope with this challenging sibling conflict is through fostering ‘positive play.’

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