• Knowledgebase: Parenting Questions

    Questions about the managment of common parenting problems such as discipline.

    12. When one child is built bigger than a sibling - Top

    Q. When one child is larger built than a sibling and regardless of what positive things you say, they still feel inferior and inadequate. What is a mother to do?

    A. It is unfortunate that children (and some adults) associate physical size or prowess with superiority, but it happens commonly. In the smaller child, you are talking about a self-esteem problem. It is not easy but you have to constantly find positive things that child does and point them out without comparison to their sibling, because you do not vent to fuel this competition fire while trying to solve the self-esteem problems. All children have positive qualities and strengths; point these out and let them know you love and appreciate them for their individuality and uniqueness.
    - Updated: March 23, 2001

    [e-Mail me the Knowledgebase]-   [Search our Knowledgebase] -  [Question Not Answered?]    


    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP