Jealousy in children - the consequences of ignoring it

Jealousy in children is a source of suffering for children, parents, carers and friends. Such an attitude can seriously damage relationships if it continues.

Jealousy in children is a source of suffering for children, parents, carers and friends. Such an attitude can seriously damage relationships if it continues. What is it about? Here is an example to help you better understand this problem.

Once upon a time there was a child who felt as if he were the center of the universe. It was on him that all parents' attention was focused. One day the child found out that he would soon have younger siblings.

Fortunately, parents quickly realized that they needed to pay attention to their children's jealousy as soon as possible so that the problem would not increase.

Unfortunately, they were too preoccupied with the new reality, as a result of which the older child's jealousy became chronic, and after some time it even intensified, turning into hatred. Due to this, the relationship of the little boy with his brother deteriorated significantly. Ultimately, the whole family became overwhelmed by this situation.

Does this issue sound familiar to you? Our article presents this scenario as if it were a fictional story. However, this situation is very common and can lead to severe pain and suffering. This is due not only to the arrival of younger siblings. In fact, jealousy in children can have many causes.

What is the best possible way or course of action in this situation? Jealousy in children may or may not be excused, but it exists and is real. First, you need to take some preventive measures to prevent it from happening at all.

Then watch for potential causes, analyze symptoms, and finally seek professional help if the problem turns out to be out of control. Please take a moment to read the rest of our article to learn more about what jealousy is in children and why it happens.

What is jealousy in children, anyway?

Jealousy is defined as a subjective state that leads to frustration. It stems from the belief that a person is not properly respected or affectionate by those they love, as is the case with parents, siblings, partners, relatives, and even animals.

However, people don't really believe that there is no such reciprocity. Rather, they mainly notice changes in the intensity and frequency of other people's feelings.

In addition, jealousy in children may not be justified. This means that the affected child may still receive the same amount of parental attention as before. Perhaps even bigger than his new siblings.

But the pain they feel is real. It arose in the mind of the person experiencing it. It may also be due to a clinical disorder that requires specialist care.

The child may suffer from jealousy and resentment. However, it is still a cognitive distortion that can lead to negative consequences.

Jealousy within siblings

It is often found in children and is usually caused by environmental and evolutionary factors. Jealousy in children can also have a genetic basis, and thus predispose a toddler to feel it. And even lead to serious consequences in his future life.

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Jealousy during the attachment phase

It depends primarily on the age of the child. The situation is particularly delicate when a new sibling arrives at an early age of a child. The period between two and five years is particularly sensitive. This is because it happens during the attachment phase of a child.

Parent model

The parenting style of caregivers, as well as the family climate at home, are also important factors that should be taken into account in the evolution and development of children and their response to feelings of jealousy.

Environmental factors

The child's environment, his / her own experiences, ability to socialize, tolerance and possible emotional deficiencies are also key factors in causing jealousy.

Jealousy in children - the most common symptoms to look out for

Various telltale symptoms can show you when dealing with a jealous child, whether it is legitimate or unreasonable in your opinion. Here are the most common symptoms of jealousy in children:

• Mood swings that occur for no reason.
• Signs of unhappiness, such as crying suddenly.
• The emergence of new behaviors such as bedwetting or lack of appetite.
• Changes in gestural and verbal expression.
• Negative attitude, stubbornness and rebellion.
• Systematic denial of own mistakes and tendency to blame others.

Strategies to reduce jealousy in children

There are various strategies you need to consider when trying to contain envy in your kids. Therefore, below we present you some important points that should be helpful when dealing with this problem:

• Analyze the source of your child's jealousy. You need to know your toddler and his situation well, because you will only be able to act appropriately if you know the cause of the problem well.
• Involvement of all those directly involved. After recognizing jealousy, you need to set a course of action. In addition, anyone who is essential to a child's development must abide by these rules.
• Avoid preferential treatment if there are several children in your family.
• Positive reinforcement. Emphasize what your child is doing well and don't put too much emphasis on the negative aspects.

Distract your child from jealous behaviors such as tantrums and willful disobedience. Also, do not pay attention to them yourself

• Increase the frequency of activities with the whole family and group games.
• React calmly to episodes of jealousy and avoid negative emotions and accusations as much as possible.
• Remind your child of his privileges when he considers everything negative. For example, talk to him about the benefits of having younger siblings, such as a playmate if the child is jealous of them.
• Reducing children's jealousy is important because it can be a source of pain. This situation can also negatively affect interpersonal relationships in adolescents and adults.

Seek professional help if the situation proves to be unmanageable. Then the specialist should be able to tell you what the best course of action is in your particular case.