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Proverbs 17:17 says “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” Siblings are, hopefully, the ones who will be there for you when everyone else abandons you.
Think of Miriam and Moses in Scripture. She watched over baby Moses on the riverbank to make sure Moses didn’t get eaten by crocodiles and when Pharaoh’s daughter found him, Miriam brought his mother to be his nurse! And Aaron, Moses’ brother, spoke for Moses!
Kids will fight, it’s simply the way of the world. But we can’t simply chalk it up to selfishness or have a “that’s just how kids are” attitude and hope they grow out of it. Selfishness is something we all battle. We each have to learn self-control and to put the needs of others first.
There are practical things parents can do to stop the squabbling and fighting, the yelling and constant bickering.
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“It wasn’t by accident that God chose to place Jesus in a family with siblings.”
Jamie Erickson
Things to talk about in non-conflict moments:
- Attack the problem, not the person.
- Act, don’t react.
- Be honest.
- Keep current.
- Own your own part in the conflict.
- Resotre your relationship. Don’t just find a resolution.
“Stop telling your kids to share. You’re creating bitter, selfish kids.”
Jamie Erickson
Mentioned in this episode:
- Matthew 18:15-17– model of confrontation
- Matthew 25:14-30– Parable of the Talents
- Matthew 20:1-16– Parable of the Vineyard
- Matthew 6:21– verse about treasures
“Current, constant communication is key in sibling relationships.”
September McCarthy