When parenting authorities Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish sat down to write the national bestseller How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, they found that they couldn't contain their chapter on sibling rivalry.No matter how much they tried to pare down their advice, they found the subject inexhaustible -- and their readers agreed!
The result is this seminal book -- revised and updated after more than ten years of feedback from parents' letters, TV and radio talk shows, and Faber and Mazlish's highly successful parenting workshops. Siblings Without Rivalry guides the way to family peace and tranquillity with humor and compassion for both parents and children. Illustrated, action-oriented, and easy to understand, it's packed with sensitive yet sensible ways to turn quarreling siblings and frustrated parents into an open, communicative family.
With a title like this, it's no surprise that authors Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish had a monster bestseller on their hands when the book first appeared in 1988. From the subsequent deluge of readers' stories, questions, and issues, they have created nearly 50 pages of new material for this, the 10th anniversary edition. The central message remains the same, and sounds almost too simple: avoid comparisons. But parents know that's easier said than done. The value of Faber and Mazlish's discussions is precisely that they talk you through umpteen different situations and outcomes to help you teach your brawling offspring a new set of responses. The highly informative text is punctuated with helpful summary/reminder boxes and cartoons illustrating key points. It's a must-read for parents with (or planning on) multiple children. But parents of young children who get along fine (so far) should read it too--as the authors make very clear, rivalry is inevitable. The only question is how to manage the rivalry with intelligence and compassion, and on that subject they offer a wealth of good advice. --Richard Farr
Customer Reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Wow, why didn't I think of that? Comment: This is hands down the most helpful parenting book I have read. It will not only help you understand why you may have experienced rivalry with your own siblings, it will help you prevent these same issues from injuring your own childrens' bonds. The authors use support group participants' real-life examples to discuss how we, as parents, unknowingly label our children (He's our athlete, she's our artist, etc.), create unfair comparisons (Your sister ate all of her vegetables, your brother made an "A", etc.), become the referee in disputes rather than facilitating problem-solving, and many more. Unlike many other parenting books available, this will leave you with specific guidelines and ideas that you can actually use and receive immediate results. Customer Rating: Summary: Just What We Needed! Comment: I have two daughters who used to get along quite well. But since the summer, their acceptable level of sibling rivalry has escalated to a very uncomfortable level. We were desperate to "nip it in the bud" before things really got out of hand. This book is already doing the trick - and it only arrived in the post yesterday! I practically devoured the book as soon as I took it out of the package!
My husband gave me the task of reading up on things, because I'm a very fast and focused reader, and we needed the help a.s.a.p! I finished the book today, and have started reading it again to take notes and make summaries to keep on hand. I have already put some of the lessons into practice and notice the difference already. For example, arguments are easily diffused because feelings are validated. I've also stopped "positive comparison", after I read, with horror, the potential harm it can do.
This book may be a bit of a shock for parents who are used to saying, "because I said so!" or who use physical punishment. However, for us, it is another step forward in the journey of being the liberal parents we consider ourselves to be. Customer Rating: Summary: Awesome Reading! Comment: This book not only helped me with my relationship with my kids...it helped me understand some of the issues between my siblings & me & my parents while growing up. Must read if you have children! Customer Rating: Summary: It Works! Comment: Sibling Rivalry is an area that we as parents must address early on. This book is very helpful, but I think the best book that deals with helping all kids get along with each other is Bully-Proofing Children: A Practical, Hands-On Guide to Stop Bullying. Through scripts, activities, routines parents learn to teach children how wonderful it is to respect and get along with each other. This is a must-read for any parent with 2 kids or children about to start school... so empowering for children.It goes so far beyond bullying. Customer Rating: Summary: Easy read with tons of great tips Comment: With a toddler and a newborn it's hard to find time to read anything. This book was such an easy read. The cartoons are a great help because it's simple. I borrowed this from the library but owning one is a must so that I can refer back to it whenever I need to.