Short description:

When nothing works to stop the incessant battles, what can exhausted parents do? This supportive, compassionate guide offers clear principles, dos and don's and loads of stories that give readers a fresh understanding of why siblings fight and what to do about it.

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Long description:

“Be nice to your sister!” “Stop picking on your brother!” “That&&&39;s a time-out for both of you." When nothing works to stop the incessant battles, where can exhausted parents turn? Sibling expert and family therapist Jonathan Caspi knows that understanding why kids fight is the first essential step to restoring peace. Featuring clear principles, dos and don&&&39;ts, and loads of stories, this book shines a spotlight on family dynamics. Dr. Caspi guides you to make an effective plan for managing conflicts, so you can keep a cool head in the heat of the moment. Learn why it&&&39;s never helpful to compare kids to each other, how to quell sibling struggles without taking sides, when to intervene (and when to step back), and what to do when parents aren&&&39;t on the same page. Improving sibling relationships can have lifelong benefits for your family. This compassionate book shows how.

“For frustrated parents everywhere! If your family struggles with sibling rivalry, Dr. Caspi is here to help you understand what’s normal and when and how you need to step in. A seasoned therapist, he combines research with user-friendly, concrete guidance on how to prevent blowups, manage high-stress situations, and help your kids truly get along."--Robert Taibbi, LCSW, private practice, Charlottesville, Virginia

"Sibling relationships are complicated. But Dr. Caspi deftly explains why children constantly squabble and compete and shows you how to help them support each other instead. You’ll find clear examples of language to use, plus tons of problem-solving options. Good sibling relationships are a template for successful relationships throughout life. Give your children the gift of these skills by reading this book."--Martha Sweezy, PhD, therapist and author, South Portland, Maine

"In this wise book, Dr. Caspi describes clear steps for managing sibling rivalry, including what to say to kids--and what not to say--before, during, and after yet another kerfuffle. Dr. Caspi does a marvelous job of translating years of experience as a researcher and family therapist into straightforward actions that parents can take."--Martha B. Straus, PhD, Department of Clinical Psychology, Antioch University New England

“Your kids will probably know each other longer than most other people in their lives. While there are plenty of books on marriage, parenting, and even friendships, sibling relationships are often overlooked. Dr. Caspi fills a gap with this accessible guide to how parents can overcome sibling conflicts, rivalry, and other common sibling issues. Families will be grateful for this book!”--JoEllen Patterson, PhD, LMFT, Marital and Family Therapy Program, University of San Diego-

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Table of Contents:

Introduction
1. “Can’t You Two Just Get Along?”: Going from Sibling Conflict to Sibling Closeness
2. “Time for a Family Meeting!”: Preparing for Sibling Conflict Before It Erupts
3. “Stop Fighting Right This Instant!”: Managing Sibling Conflict When It Erupts
4. “I Love All My Children the Same”: Dealing with Perceived Favoritism
5. “This Is My Angel and This Is My Devil”: Avoiding Sibling Comparisons
6. “You’re Just Like Your Father!”: Dissolving Rigid Parent–Child Teams
7. “This Is My Athletic Child”: Helping Children Find Their Special Talent without Hurting Their Siblings
8. “But I Love Baseball”: Curbing Your Own Biases
9. “Leave Him Alone! Your Brother Has an Issue”: Spotting Crafty Attention-Getting Behaviors
10. “Can’t You Two Find Something To Do?!”: Addressing Boredom and Providing Structure
Bibliography
Index

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