Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too 
asked by mullers on November 27, 2006 6:21 AM
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
Reviews
0%
0%
This is a great book. I have twin boys who are almost two and I bought this book to help better understand sibling relationships and rivalries. Althought I can't quite use all the techniques described just yet, I know that I will use this in the years to come. The book has wonderful cartoons that help illustrate the techniques the authors describe. It's a great book to keep handy. I also recommend the authors' other book, "How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids will Talk.
reviewed by osx on November 28, 2006 9:00 AM
0%
0%
I read this book in 1992. At the time, I was the mother of a seven-year-old girl and a five-year-old girl. I began applying the lessons immediately. Now twenty-one and ninteen, my daughters describe us as one of the few families they know where the kids are truly friends. This is very different from my own childhood experience. My children had conflict growing up but I learned how to help them learn to resolve it in a positive way, thereby dramatically reducing the stress in our home. I also saw my kids use the techniques with their relationships with friends! I also have a twelve-year-old daughter and eleven-year-old son that get along really well, even learning to share the television and computer, so it's not just luck with the older ones. I now routinely give this book as a gift to parents of a second or third child. I HIGHLY recommend this to parents of children of any age.
reviewed by tsu on November 29, 2006 4:12 PM
0%
0%
Excellent book. Well written. Has condensed summaries at end if one does not have time to read full text (and w/kids who has time). Has great cartoons to provide examples and use as refresher. Most important - it provides valuable advice that has proven to already be useful in real life.
Mom of a 3 year and 2 month old.
Mom of a 3 year and 2 month old.
reviewed by localhost on November 29, 2006 6:55 PM
0%
0%
After reading this book I realized I was doing it all wrong! Once I started implementing the authors techniques, it was amazing how quickly the fighting no longer escalated to "knock outs". My son and daughter were able to resolve some of their discrepancies on their own with very little involvement on my part! I truly recommend this book if you've got fighting kids, which is most, if not all of us parents! Then go on to read by the same authors, "How to talk so kids will listen and how to listen so kids will talk". Both of these books made a huge difference in my house!
reviewed by janmueller on November 29, 2006 7:26 PM