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Sibling rivalry is a fact of life. It takes years and years of development to cultivate a good bickering family. "Mom always liked you best" echoes over and over again. "I remember what you did to me when I was twelve"...so get over it! Some parents can keep it going and take delight in manipulating one son against the other without even being conscious of it. Or giving more to one daughter because they make the most complaints. There are no tips that siblings can use to become more respectful to one another because parents will only perpetuate the competition so that they can feel more loved or important. Now you can continue to play the sibling rivalry game or you can opt out. The day that you mature and get married to create your own family is the time that you are free of sibling rivalry. That is when you put aside childhood things and focus on your spouse. Sorry Mom and Dad you are no longer number one in the life of your child. So step aside and let life unfold as it should. To continue to try and beat out your brother or sister takes away from your relationship with your spouse. You are no longer working at being a good son or daughter but rather a good husband or wife. So grow up (literally) and step out of the sibling rivalry game because you have more important issues to deal with. Focus on your family and try not to make the mistakes that your parents made. You will of course make mistakes but hopefully you won't promote sibling rivalry. As the Bible says cleave to your husband/wife and don't get bogged down with any guilt trips from your parents. You can't avoid sibling rivalry but you can limit the duration.

Learn more about this author, Agatha Cruise.
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