We have been blessed with two daughters just two years apart. They share many interests and get along well much of the time.
I want them to have a lifelong friendship and as they grow, I hope they will enjoy each other’s company even more.
Here are some ideas I’m trying to implement to encourage harmony between them.
1. Encourage common interests. Because they are only two years apart, they have enjoyed many of the same toys at the same time. In earlier years, they played with baby dolls and Little People figures. They’ve always had great fun with “pretend” play and now enjoy American Girl dolls and accessories. They also like reading many of the same books and doing arts and crafts activities together.
2. Teach them to control the words they speak to each other. Let’s face it; even we as adults struggle with controlling our speech. Sometimes I find myself getting lax and not correcting my daughters when they speak to each other unkindly. We all know how hurtful words can be and this requires almost constant monitoring. You can determine different ways to deal with this; I usually find it helpful to separate them for a certain period of time.
3. Promote gift giving. My daughters like to use their own money to buy each other small gifts for birthdays and at Christmas. I do all that I can to facilitate this practice.
4. Schedule equal time alone with parents. We do this for my husband through separate “date night” time with daddy. I am able to be alone with each girl every Thursday while they alternate time in a homeschool co-op class.
5. Teach them to respect one another’s privacy. Our girls currently share a bedroom, but they do have their own dressers, closet area, etc. I have taught them to ask before using something that belongs to their sister and, when permission is given, to make sure that they handle each other’s possessions carefully.
What other tips could you share on helping sisters get along with one another?
These are great tips – I'm working on them with my girls. Teaching them to be kind with other another is topping my list right now. Sophie often gets impatient with Bella, so we are working on kind words and patience.
YES! We are reeeeally working on "teaching them to control the words they speak to each other."
Great tips! I think that homeschooling helps, too, because they are forced to interact with each other. If my children don't play together, then they have to play alone because there is no one else. And that togetherness fosters their relationship.