Getting teens to be nicer to their siblings

Vanessa Van Petten, Youthologist , shares advice for parents on how to not only get their teenage child to be nicer to their siblings but on how to be a role model for them
Sibling Rivalry Tip | Getting Teens To Be Nicer To Their Siblings
KidsInTheHouse the Ultimate Parenting Resource
Kids in the House Tour

Getting teens to be nicer to their siblings

Comment
61
Like
61
Transcription: 
When you have a teenager in the house, sibling rivalry can become a problem if there's younger kids around. So for parents, the first thing to know is to never compare your teenager to your younger child or to compare your younger child to your older child. It sets up a bad relationship between the two and it can increase tensions in the household. Second, make sure to ask your teenager to mentor that younger kid. A lot of the times teenagers don't realize they actually are a role model for their younger sibling. And if they maybe take their younger sibling out to play or to talk to them about relationships, it can set up a nice mentor relationship between the two of them and lessen rivalry in the household.

Vanessa Van Petten, Youthologist , shares advice for parents on how to not only get their teenage child to be nicer to their siblings but on how to be a role model for them

Related Videos

Transcript

Expert Bio

More from Expert

Vanessa Van Petten

Youtholgist

Vanessa Van Petten is one of the nation's youngest experts, or 'youthologists' on parenting and adolescents.  She wrote her first parenting book, You're Grounded, from the teen's perspective when she was just 17. After winning the Mom’s Choice Award in 2009, she launched her popular parenting website, RadicalParenting.com, which she now writes with 120 other teenagers to answer questions from parents on everything from communication issues to cyberbullying. Vanessa's unique approach has been featured by CNN, CBS Miami, Fox New York, Wall Street Journal, Teen Vogue, and many more.  She was also on the Real Housewives of Orange County helping the housewives with troubled teens. Her latest book, Do I Get My Allowance Before or After I'm Grounded?  won the Moms Choice Award in 2012. 

More Parenting Videos from Vanessa Van Petten >
Enter your email to
download & subscribe
to our newsletter
  Listen or Watch
Must See First Year Videos
Three important rules about your baby's first foods
First year milestones
Postnatal depression and loneliness advice
Baby losing interest in nursing
The importance of spending quality time during early childhood
Narrating an infant's environment
Research based benefits of co-sleeping
Bonding versus attachment
Bonding with your baby after a less-than-perfect birth
Preventing postpartum depression
Play All 34 Videos
Featured Experts: Alan Greene, MD, Lawrence Kagan, MD, Barbara Olinger, MSW
More Playlists >
Transcription: 
When you have a teenager in the house, sibling rivalry can become a problem if there's younger kids around. So for parents, the first thing to know is to never compare your teenager to your younger child or to compare your younger child to your older child. It sets up a bad relationship between the two and it can increase tensions in the household. Second, make sure to ask your teenager to mentor that younger kid. A lot of the times teenagers don't realize they actually are a role model for their younger sibling. And if they maybe take their younger sibling out to play or to talk to them about relationships, it can set up a nice mentor relationship between the two of them and lessen rivalry in the household.