Our first child was 4 when we had twins. Keeping sibling jealousy at bay became a constant priority.

Our son (not pictured) was a pampered, only child for four years — and then we had twins. We work hard to make sure he still feels special. SanyaSM/Getty ImagesOur son was a pampered, only child for four years — and then we had twins.Keeping jealousy at bay was important to our family, so we used four strategies to keep the peace.Involving our eldest in caring for the twins has helped strengthen family bonds.We have a house full of boys—three of them, to be exact.Before the twins came along, our eldest had enjoyed four years of undivided attention being a pampered, only child. He was the center of my world, my little shadow.When the twins arrived, he was genuinely excited to meet his new siblings. He even joked, "It's great we got two babies. One can bowl and the other can field while I bat!"Behind the smile, however, I sensed a quiet worry in his eyes, and one of our biggest concerns became how he would adjust to sharing us with two newborns. The shift in family dynamics was undoubtedly going to be a challenge, and we knew we had to be attentive, not just to the babies, but, just as importantly, to his emotions.Over the last 10 years, we've learned a few things and made conscious, thoughtful choices — choices that have helped prevent sibling jealousy, ensure that all three of our children feel equally valued, and that they bond deeply with one another.The approach wasn't a one-time fix but a series of small, intentional choices that made all the difference. Here's how we navigated the transition.We make small moments countWith two newborns demanding constant care, we knew how important it was to carve out one-on-one time with our oldest child every day. Whether it was reading his favorite book, playing a quick game, or simply chatting about his day, these small moments helped reassure him that he was still our "little one."I also made it a point to be available when he got back from school, just sitting with him while he had lunch and talking about his day. Those little routines reminded him that his special place in my life hadn't changed and never would.We asked him to help care for the twinsWe also made sure to involve our eldest in caring for the twins. From the very start, I encouraged him to help with simple, age-appropriate tasks like picking out clothes for them or fetching diapers. This not only made him feel important but also allowed him to develop a bond with his new siblings. He took pride in his big brother role, which helped him feel included and valued.We made sure to validate his feelingsOne of the important parts of the transition was reassuring our eldest that our love hadn't been divided, but multiplied. Sounds cliché? Maybe. But trust me, small — seemingly clichéd — actions made a big difference. Even when the twins needed attention, we made sure to check in with him and express our appreciation for his patience.Still, there were moments when he felt frustrated or left out, and his emotional needs were sometimes unintentionally overlooked. I remember him saying, "They're crying too much… maybe we should just return them to the doctor." I reassured him that babies cry sometimes because they're little and still learning how to behave. I also reminded him of the joys of having siblings, like how they smile at him when they see him, and we talked about the fun they would have playing together and the special bond they would share.We knew we were playing the long gameOur ultimate goal was to nurture a strong sibling bond. As the twins grew, we emphasized equity and respect in our household. The eldest had responsibilities, but we also gave him the authority that comes with being the oldest. We taught him to love and be kind to his younger brothers, and we made sure the twins learned to respect and love their older brother. When disputes arose, we listened to all sides and made decisions without age discrimination.Over time, the twins naturally formed a strong bond with each other, but fortunately, they also developed an equally strong bond with their older brother. Now, they talk, share things, play together, have their own secrets, and even manage their little disputes on their own. Watching this has been such a joy, and it fills me with pride to see the special connection they've created.It's an ongoing journeyThe arrival of the twins undoubtedly changed our family dynamic, but it also brought immense joy. Watching my children grow and bond, both as individuals and as siblings, has been an incredible experience.Preventing sibling jealousy is an ongoing journey, but by making small, intentional choices and fostering equity, I can see that they now share a deep, supportive bond with each other. They are not just siblings, but also friends, and I'm confident that this connection will only grow stronger.Read the original article on Business Insider

Comments

Business News

More warning signs emerge for U.S. travel industry as summer nears

washington times

Ukrainian Drones Patrol A 16-Mile Kill Zone. ‘If You Simply Drive On Any Roads, You Risk Your Life,’ One Russian Blogger Warned.

about 2 hours ago

Stephen Miller Suggests Trump Administration Could Suspend Habeas Corpus To Detain Immigrants—Here’s What That Means

Forbes

Comments

Business News

More warning signs emerge for U.S. travel industry as summer nears

Air traffic controllers for Newark airport briefly lose radar access again

An offshore wind project for New York may be abandoned over Trump administration delays

Mandelson ‘looking forward’ to bringing down more US tariffs

Lester Holt reveals why he’s leaving ‘Nightly News’ but staying at NBC

FDA approves Teal Wand — first at-home test to screen for cervical cancer

Krispy Kreme pauses doughnut rollout with McDonald’s after surprising lack of demand

British Airways spends £17billion on jets after Trump teased Boeing would get a bumper order under US-UK trade deal

Big high street retail chain launches ‘crazy offers’ sale as it shuts shopping centre store amid string of closures

‘Shadow Force’ Reviews: Is Kerry Washington’s Film Enlightening Critics?

Mandelson ‘looking forward’ to bringing down more US tariffs

Senators urge DOJ to dig deeper into alleged manipulation of egg prices

Plane at London Gatwick Airport caught fire due to copilot mix-up

Trump trashes MSNBC over tariffs, Wall Street Journal over China

Expedia cites lower demand for US travel for weaker-than-expected revenue

‘Balkan beauty’ hedge funder known for steamy bikini selfies banned from US over immigration ‘lies’: sources

Asda to open first ever standalone George clothing store TOMORROW – is it near you?

Greggs will raise prices again next week in ‘theft tax’ after Sun reporters again witness brazen raiders target stores

Major UK pub chain with over 500 boozers is giving away thousands of free pints next week – how to claim yours

UNC Says Bill Belichick’s Girlfriend Welcome At School Football Facilities, Denying Report

Federal Judge Orders Release Of Detained Tufts Student Rumeysa Ozturk. Her Case Explained.

Indiana Pacers Beat Odds To Lead Cleveland Cavaliers Series 2-0

Is ‘Nonnas’ Based On A True Story? How To Visit The Real Enoteca Maria

Ukrainian Drones Patrol A 16-Mile Kill Zone. ‘If You Simply Drive On Any Roads, You Risk Your Life,’ One Russian Blogger Warned.

Stephen Miller Suggests Trump Administration Could Suspend Habeas Corpus To Detain Immigrants—Here’s What That Means

What Summer Signings Should Arsenal Make To Build On This Season?

What To Watch This Weekend: New Shows And Movies To Stream On Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Apple TV And More

Rafael Devers And The Boston Red Sox Are In A Defensive Standoff

Will There Be A ‘Blood Of Zeus’ Season 4 On Netflix?

PIP claimants that ‘shouldn’t be affected by reform’ could still be at risk experts warn

ALEX BRUMMER: BP's survival is core to UK

Bank of England chief: Britain still worse off from tariffs

Markets rally as Donald Trump hints at China climbdown

Financial Conduct Authority under fire over Shein float

Last chance to pick up a ticket for this year's four-day Goodwood Festival of Speed in July

Hack rocks Marks & Spencer bureau de change

Tesla tells Model Y and Cybertruck workers to stay home for a week

Hold the lies: Judge says Burger King must face false-advertising lawsuit over the size of its Whopper

The 12 best things to stream this weekend, from season 2 of 'Poker Face' to the return of Conan O'Brien's travel series

Federal judge appears likely to temporarily halt Trump's sweeping government overhaul

Rising unemployment a ‘harsh reality’ of the trade war, experts say

Rachel Reeves gearing up for Dutch-style pensions takeover - everyone could be worse off

Five year cash ISA rule every single saver needs to know about

Trump ‘committed’ to 10% tariff rate despite deal, says White House

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon calls Trump tariffs ‘too large, too big and too aggressive’

Crime rings attacking US supply chain at record rates are using this sneaky tactic: report

Karim Benzema, Real Madrid legend, eyes MLS move

Google partner Anthropic warns DOJ proposal to increase competition could ‘harm’ AI investment

Supermarkets including Sainsbury’s run out of kitchen staple as shoppers spot huge shortage on shelves

Adam Duritz On New Counting Crows Album Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!

Friday, May 9. Russia’s War On Ukraine: News And Information From Ukraine

UFC 315 Fight Card: Odds, Lines, Prop Bets, Predictions And Picks

3 Considerations For Trump’s Proposed 39.6% Tax Rate On Top Earners

Baldoni Vs. Lively Feud: Lively Will Testify At Trial Next Year, Lawyers Say

‘Italy On Madison,’ A Pop-Up Showcase Of Italian Style In New York

AI Movies Multiply, Reply Festival Returns, The Fastest AI Video Generator

Thunderbolts* Striking $75 Million Worldwide Second Weekend Box Office

Here’s How Tariffs Are Impacting Real Manufacturers Today

Pritzker Poses As Small Business Champion, His Record Shows Otherwise

Trump ‘committed’ to 10% tariff rate despite deal, says White House