Jealousy in children is natural. However, in extreme manifestation, it can be a sign that the parent has not found the balance between showing feelings and distributing attention equally among their children. It can happen when parents have not found the balance between professional and personal life. Children with lower self-esteem tend to be more jealous, i.e. those who have not received enough unconditional love, acceptance and praise from parents.

Parents often shift their focus from the first to the second child, without realizing what a test this can be for the older child. They feel abandoned, less significant, and uncertain. They can become introverted, and negative towards the new member of the family.

The best and easiest way to avoid painful jealousy in the older child is to involve them as much as possible in caring for the younger brother or sister, at the same time paying special and showing appreciation to them for their help. 

Frequently Asked Question

Момичето на люлката

How can I tell my child that they were adopted?

The conversation about adoption should start right from the very beginning - from your first day together, even if your child is a very small baby. Invent a beautiful story for your child and tell it as they grow up. For example, about a mother who had spent a long...
cleaning-room

How do I get my child to tidy their room?

With patience, with a smile, with motivation. It's good to teach children to tidy their things from an early age. Little heroes love to be given tasks which are usually done by adults. When they're five, they like to be involved in any household activity because it...
Семейство

Is it possible to avoid a divorce from hurting the child?

  Of course, it is. When we explain to our children without dramatizing or without blaming the other, when we present the situation as something natural that often happens in the lives of many people, the child will accept the change calmly.   Children usually react...
delfin-bananas

How can I explain to my child that the goodies they see in advertisements are not good for them?

We often underestimate the ability of our children to understand our true motives. In fact, we can always tell them the truth. We can explain to our child why these foods are harmful and that they need to eat real food to be healthy and strong. Persuasion always works...
Нежеланието на едно дете да се храни е резултат от погрешен подход на възрастните

How can I deal with my child’s reluctance to eat?

I remember a situation when I saw a child being literally tortured. The child was stuck between the table and the chair, his head barely visible over the huge plate whose contents had to be eaten. His mother was categorical that the child would not leave the table...