Nurturing Great KidsSample

Sibling Rivalry

First John 2:10 is referring to our brothers and sisters in the Christian family, but it certainly can apply to our biological family as well.

Every parent has the dream that their children will grow up to love each other. Those dreams get crushed when one sibling or another makes decisions that hurt the family. Children become protective of their parents, siblings lose patience with each other and all sorts of chaos can ensue.

As a parent, you will have to mediate at times among your children, which can be very tiring. The best response a parent can offer is to encourage your children to repent of any sinful behavior and value one another. Your children may not be best friends but they can still show respect.

Make it your mission to live a life pleasing to God. Do all you can to be peaceful, and pray your children also understand their role in bringing peace to the family.

Parenting Principle

You are not responsible to make your children get along—they are!

Points to Ponder

How well do you get along with your siblings?

How do you see your children growing in relationships with each other?

Where do you see your children struggling in their sibling relationships?

A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.