Q
Five out of eight moms in our weekly playgroup have two children under twenty seven months at home. We are all experiencing the same big problem. What is the best way to handle our older children when they show aggression to their younger siblings? Can you help or recommend books on this subject?
A
Rather than going into a detailed developmental explanation on why this aggression is normal and why it's happening, let me recommend two superb books that address not only this particular age-grouped sibling problem but also the nature of sibling rivalry and what to do about it at all life ages and stages. Sufficed to say, attempting to reassure the older sibling of her/his continuing "special status" ( the one he/she feels has been stolen by "the new kid") is paramount ,as are concerted attempts to spend special time alone with the older child. Realistically, we parents do need to keep an eye on our older,aggressive kids when they are physically near their younger siblings because they are not aware of the harm their hitting, pulling, shaking etc. can cause.
My sibling book resources are: Siblings Without Rivalry by Faber & Mazlish and Loving Each One Best by Nancy Samalin.
I know this situation is troublesome but you will find coping mechanisms and I guarantee you that both kids (and you!) will actually survive and flourish.