Sibling rivalry: How parents can turn it into confidence and self-esteem lessons

Boey (left) says her two elder children constantly compete and compare with each other in their studies. — BOEY LAI KUAN

AS LONG as there is more than one child in a family, there’s bound to be some degree of sibling rivalry. But why do siblings fight with each other?

Senior counsellor Dr Nordinah Mohd Kassim says sibling rivalry is a common phenomenon. “As long as feelings of annoyance, jealousy, envy and competitiveness exist in human beings, sibling rivalry is bound to occur.”