It is unusual for siblings not to fuss and fight with each other occasionally. There is a natural tendency to be competitive and even jealous of attention received by a sibling. But it is a fact that siblings often pull together, considering themselves a team, especially when faced with challenges. However, siblings can have the inside track on being our very worst nemesis. They often know our darkest secrets and our most vulnerable spots and, if they choose to exploit this knowledge the results can be devastating.
Parents often try to intervene when siblings fight, but may feel that the kids ‘just need to work it out’. However, new evidence suggests that unrelenting sibling bullying can increase the risk of depression later in life. The study, conducted by Researchers from the Universities of Oxford, Warwick and Bristol and University College London “…children who said they had been bullied by a sibling several times a week were found to be twice as likely to have depression, self-harm and anxiety as the other children.” The bottom line is that it is NEVER acceptable for one child to bully another and as adults we need to find ways to address this behavior.
We can, through work with horses, help siblings work on communication, compromise and cooperation. Our horses help us create situations where siblings need to work together. Then through treatment team feedback and personal reflection, siblings often come to recognize and appreciate each others strengths and abilities.
If your kids are constantly fighting and you need to find a way to change the situation. We would be happy to show you around the ranch and introduce you to our wonderful horses. We will listen and learn more about what is going on in your family and share how we may be able to help. Call or email today to schedule a visit.