My kids have been fighting a lot lately and it’s driving me crazy. I’ve heard about using positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior, but I’m not sure how to apply it to sibling relationships. Has anyone tried this approach with their own kids? What worked for you? I’d love to hear some real-world experiences or tips if you’ve had success with this. Thanks!
I’ve tried something similar with my kid and their cousin who often stays over. We created a Kindness Jar where they add marbles for acts of kindness toward each other. When it’s full, we do a fun family activity together. I’ve noticed fewer arguments and a friendlier, more cooperative atmosphere at home.
It’s still a work in progress, but it has had a positive impact on their interactions. This approach has encouraged them to recognize and appreciate good behavior without feeling pressured, and it naturally improved their bond over time.
I’ve been trying something like this with my 5-year-old and their little cousin. We started a ‘Nice Actions’ chart where they get to draw a smiley face when they do something kind for each other.
It’s only been a few weeks, but I’m seeing some small changes. My kid offered to share a toy unprompted the other day. I was so surprised!
I’m curious though - how long did it take before you saw real improvements? And did you ever worry about them only being nice for the reward? I sometimes wonder if I’m doing this right or if there’s a better way.
What other positive reinforcement methods have worked for your family? I’d love to hear more ideas to try!
Tried a sticker chart for good sibling behavior. Kids earn points for helping each other, sharing toys, etc. They cash in points for small rewards weekly.
Took a while, but now they look for ways to cooperate. Still argue sometimes, but it’s better overall.
Positive reinforcement worked wonders for my kids’ relationship. I started by catching them being kind to each other and praising them for it. It felt awkward at first, but they really responded to the extra attention.
One thing that helped was creating a ‘Good Sibling’ chart. Whenever they did something nice for each other, they got to put a sticker on the chart. Once they filled it up, we’d have a special family night where they chose the activity.
It took some time, but I started noticing them looking for ways to be nice to each other. They’d share toys without being asked or help each other with homework. The fighting didn’t stop completely, but it definitely decreased.
The best part was seeing how proud they were when they earned that family night. It really boosted their confidence and helped them see how much better things were when they got along. 
We’ve had some success with a simple reward system for our kids. Each week, they can earn points for playing nicely together, sharing, or helping each other out. At the end of the week, they can trade points for small treats or extra screen time.
It’s been amazing to see how much this has improved their relationship. They’re more aware of how they treat each other and often work together to earn points. Sometimes they even remind us to give them points for good behavior!
The best part is how proud they are when they earn rewards. It’s really boosted their confidence and made them more aware of their actions. Of course, there are still arguments, but overall the mood at home is much more positive.