How excessive affection towards the younger sibling fuels rivalry and stunts emotional growth.
The Unconscious Bias As parents, we claim to love all our children equally. But our actions often tell a different story. If you have a significant age gap (4-6 years) between your kids, observe yourself. Do you speak normally to your older child but switch to a “melting, gooey” tone for the younger one? This subtle difference in behavior is more dangerous than you think.
The Older Child’s Perspective Your older child is watching. When they see you showering excessive affection on the younger one, they don’t see “love.” They see discrimination. They feel replaced and undervalued. This is the primary root of sibling rivalry. The resentment isn’t against the sibling; it’s against the unfairness.
The Younger Child’s Trap On the flip side, excessive coddling harms the younger child too. When you treat them like a fragile doll, they develop a “privileged” mindset. They may struggle to grow up mentally because they enjoy the perks of being the “baby” forever.
Stop the “Baby Talk” Another common mistake is dumbing down language. Calling water “mum” or cars “peep-peep” delays their cognitive development. Advice: Talk to your toddlers like adults. Use proper words. Treat them with respect, not just adoration.
Conclusion To build a strong bond between siblings, you must level the playing field. Show affection, but ensure it doesn’t look like favoritism. A balanced approach today will ensure they remain best friends tomorrow.
