| What little Josh has, big sister Brit wants and | | | | Sibling Rivalry |
| vice-versa. So if you're getting one pedal car toy for | | | | The root cause of all this trouble is jealousy or sibling |
| two lively toddlers, you're asking for BIG trouble. If | | | | rivalry. Those "me first" demands are just the tip of an |
| you're going to get two, better get identical toy pedal | | | | iceberg. You heard it all - complaints about Josh playing |
| cars or you won't have peace at home. | | | | with Brit dolls, or Brit getting into Josh's things are all |
| Keeping Peace in the Home | | | | signs of sibling rivalry, or have you forgotten your very |
| Kids are naturally competitive. They want to have the | | | | own free-for-all with your siblings not so long ago? It's |
| bigger slice of pie, the newest toy, and they go to | | | | understandable though why this is upsetting to you - |
| lengths to make sure that they are served equal | | | | your own kids! |
| amounts of chocolate malt in their glasses. The littlest | | | | How do you deal with sibling rivalry when Josh is just |
| difference can spark a crying spell. Just think if you are | | | | three years old and Brit is just a year older? You don't |
| getting just one pedal car toy for the two spirited | | | | scream and rage at their ruckus or tell Brit to give Josh |
| children! | | | | a break because he is little or glare at Josh because |
| With the holidays peeking in the corner, it's time to | | | | he is touchy about his toys. Children are protective |
| weigh your options about this one pedal car toy. A doll | | | | about their toys. You can just imagine what one pedal |
| for Brit won't pacify her she'll want a pedal car too. | | | | car toy can do to both kids and to your sanity. |
| Yes, these lovable little cars don't come cheap. A shiny | | | | Always "saving" Josh won't do good for his character. |
| red Mercedes Benz pedal car will make you poorer by | | | | He'll sense that he can always get away with what he |
| $450! You become poorer still if you get two! That's a | | | | wants because you are ready to take his side. |
| tough choice to make but you'll go the extra mile (and | | | | Always picking on Brit to act like the big sister will only |
| dollars) to keep peace at home. | | | | lead to her resentment - and if this vicious cycle goes |
| No amount of explaining to Brit that Josh needs the | | | | on, you can expect two types of adults - an unfeeling |
| pedal car toy more because he needs to "develop his | | | | Josh and a rebel in Brit. The future is not rosy indeed. |
| motor skills" can pacify a feisty little girl. She must have | | | | The best way to help teach kids cope with sibling |
| one and she won't take no for an answer or there will | | | | rivalry is to let them verbalize their feelings; and don't |
| be hell to pay. Luckily, some stores are giving five | | | | waste time trying to find who to blame. Instead, keep |
| percent discount coupons on already discounted pedal | | | | them apart until they have both simmered down and |
| car toys. Brit can have her loot without bothering Josh | | | | devise a happy solution for everyone. But before |
| - just make sure you get the same pedal car - color | | | | trouble brews, get two not one pedal car toy. |
| and make. | | | | |