Here are some habits you can structure into your family’s new normal to help siblings navigate spending more time together at home.

Importance of Personal Space

Everyone needs down time to just be with themselves. This is practicing self care.

  • Teach children ways of expressing that they need alone time. “I like playing with you, but I’m starting to feel grumpy so I need some by myself.”
  • Redirect the sibling: “Your brother loves you and will play with you later.  Right now he is going to read. What would you like to do?”
  • Headphones can be everyone’s friends
  • Make sure “Quiet Time” or “Me Time” is part of each day, for everyone.

Address Social Isolation

  • Set up regular video “playdates” with friends

Balance Individual Needs

Your children’s needs may be clashing and that’s ok. There are ways to express that without anyone being wrong.

  • “It looks like your sister isn’t really awake yet, and needs more time to herself before she is ready to play.”
  • Set up “Special Sibling Time” where you help them pick an activity they both enjoy

Teach Social Skills

  • Empathize with each child “It sounds like YOU want some peace and quiet. And YOU want to dance to your music! I wonder how we can work this out?”
  • Model “I” Statements “I don’t like it when you call me names.”
  • Model pro-social behavior in your interactions with your family. “There’s only one banana left; shall we split it?”
  • Teach self-calming techniques

Help With Big Emotions

  • Teach kids to manage their worries and identify feelings  
  • Talk about and welcome all feelings
  • When in the middle of experiencing a big emotion children often won’t hear logic or reason. Resist teaching or talking except to connect with compassion. “I’m sorry this is so hard.”

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