Sibling Bonding: 3 Small Tips That Make a Big Difference
As amazing as it can be, introducing a new baby into the family can also cause some waves, especially if you have a young toddler or two already at home. Sleeping patterns, eating habits, whining, crying, and so much more can change instantly. Once your baby becomes old enough to interact with, it is important to foster a positive sibling relationship for your children. If your children are having a tough time bonding, this blog is for you. Keep reading to learn three small tips that you can practice every day that will make a huge difference, and how bubbles are going to be the key that unlocks their lifelong friendship.
Tip 1: Creating Team Opportunities
Your older child might be experiencing a lot of competition in their mind, and it is important to create team opportunities to bond your children together. Your older child might be seeing you rush to their younger sibling when they cry, hold them for long periods of time, and help them with every little thing. Meanwhile, they are expected to do things themselves, help you, and work on controlling their big feelings.
As such, creating team opportunities throughout the day allows your children to work together, rather than compete with each other.
Here are some simple toddler team-up ideas:
- Bubble time. Toddler-friendly bubble blowers will keep your little ones entertained with each other, while working together to blow, pop, and chase bubbles. Lip guards also make it easy for them to share the bubble wand if you only have one, especially if your older child is freaked out by their younger sibling's drool habits!
- Soap dough play. Just like traditional dough play, but soap dough turns into usable, bubbly soap at the end instead of turning into a hard, cracked rock. They will love creating together, sharing stamp tools, and making soap for mom and dad to have in the bathroom or kitchen. It is also a fun bath time activity if they tend to fight over bath toys.
- Sensory bin fun. Setting up a sensory bin doesn't need to be a stressful mess. Simply grab a big bin or Tupperware, or even fill up the sink, and pop in some water-friendly sensory toys such as our silicone fish scrubs. Bonus points if you add in some bubbly soap and they work together on cleaning toys, finding objects, and exploring.
Tip 2: Sharing Stake in a Routine
Daily routines are a part of all of our lives, and they can easily be incorporated into bonding with your little ones. Sometimes, it is the simplest things that our children remember, including how their day starts and ends with their sibling.
Here's how:
- Joint bedtime. Involving the other in each other's bedtime routine is a very easy way to allow your kids to connect and be part of each other's days in a positive way. It can be as simple as picking a book together, choosing each other's PJs, and brushing their teeth together.
- Time for a laugh. Nothing builds a bond like a good laugh, so find some time to make your little ones laugh together every day. Whether it is making a silly face at the two of them, giving them tickles, or even watching a funny show, laughing will bond like no other.
- Special hello's and goodbye's. Encourage your kids to give each other special hello's and goodbye's every day, especially if the older sibling goes to school. It can be a special good morning hug, good night handshake, or anything that is only special for them!
Tip 3: Protecting One-on-One Time
One of the best ways you can bond your children together is to protect their one-on-one time with you. Giving each child at least ten minutes of undivided attention every day will go a long way. This way, they won't feel the need to have to compete with their sibling for your attention, and a lot of the moodiness in the household goes away.
Simple ways you can bond with your own child one-on-one every day include:
- Set aside time every night to pick out clothes together for the next day and talk about what to look forward to
- Work together on packing lunch or making dinner
- Praise your child for their artwork, crafts, or other accomplishments so that they feel their personal attention tank starts to fill up