How to Deal with a Jealous Child

March 20, 2018


It is quite usual for a child to be jealous of the arrival of a new sibling, especially when before his arrival he was the center of attention at all times. He is also likely to be jealous even if the brother is bigger or even someone else. It is very important that parents make the transition with their child before the baby is born, but in case the child has jealous attitudes, it will be convenient that they know how to treat it. We are going to give you some advice so you know How to deal with a jealous child. In this way, you can have a more appropriate behavior and stop suffering from jealousy.

Listen to your Son

In most cases, it is likely that the behavior of your jealous child is promoted by envy and that this feeling is born from the depths of your being. Whenever there is a behavior of this kind there will be a negative feeling behind it.

It is important that you talk to your child and find out why he is jealous of his brother or a particular person. Listen to what he has to tell you and also observe his behavior. There may be cases in which your child has low self-esteem and low confidence so this would be the most important thing to work on first.

It is possible that your child feels insecure about their aspects and feels jealous of another person. He is also likely to feel that others are better than him and that is why the feeling of envy is born. Listen to what you have to say and allow it to be expressed openly. Beat your side and give your support, understand that you are not alone and that you have many positive things.


Read Stories about Jealousy

There are many stories and fables that have a lot of messages and values so that your child can feel identified with the protagonists of the story. Your son will understand that jealousy is something normal but that only we ourselves are the ones who have the capacity to control them and that jealousy does not control us.

You can read this type of story to your children every night until you begin to realize that jealousy is diminishing. Try that at the end of the story there is a moment of joint reflection so you can better internalize the values that the story conveys. In this way, you will understand that jealousy damages you inside and that, in addition, it will only cause harm.

In addition, this is one of the best ways to prepare a child for the arrival of a baby and explain the feelings that can be found. Thus, teaching him what these stories can tell him and make him understand is a good way to avoid jealousy among siblings even before they appear.


Avoid Comparisons

To know how to treat a jealous child, we must bear in mind that sometimes children may feel jealous of others because without realizing it, some parents have abused the comparison with other children. Avoid comparing your children with their siblings or with other children because then you will be enhancing their feelings of inferiority and insecurity, something that will affect you greatly during the rest of your life.

Do not compare their performance or their personality, nothing. Remember that each child is a different world and that comparisons will only raise in their hearts a stain of resentment. He will think that it is not enough for you and jealousy will only increase, as well as his negative attitude and painful feelings.


Reinforces Positive Behavior

For your child to have a positive behavior, it should be reinforced. It is important that he understands that he is unique and that he also owns his decisions. Give him the opportunity to have control over his life even though it is under your guidance and with alternatives that you have given him before.

Shape your behavior with a good example and provide moments for you to share, help and work together with others. It is very important that you value your efforts so that you realize that good behavior will always be valued.

Of course, remember that you should never miss your unconditional love so that you know that he is unique in this world and that he will always be special to you, no matter what happens.


Tips to Treat a Jealous Son

In addition to everything previously mentioned, such as understanding the motive of jealousy, making you feel unique or avoiding comparisons with other children, these are some tips for you to treat your jealous son and get him to feel better and learn to manage this feeling of a correct form:

Give Explanations

It is good that at certain times when something happens that may be contrary to our child and may cause jealousy, we openly explain the reason why this has happened and, for example, why another child has been treated differently or his brother.

Do not give too much Attention

Paying too much attention to your jealous son, especially when he's upset by this feeling, is not good either. If we go over and overindulge, we end up raising an egocentric child who sees normal being jealous in various situations that may not be. Also, what may happen is that you end up taking this behavior as a habit to get our attention and what you want.

Teach you to Share

It is very important that from very young learn to share is something good. Whether sharing a toy with another child or that the time you spend with your parents should be shared with your siblings, the little one should understand it as soon as possible and, thus, will not suffer so much the problem of jealousy.

Whenever you share something or something with someone and do it willingly, you will have to reward the behavior, using positive reinforcement and talking with him about the good experience.



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