Becky Dickinson reveals how to encourage sibling relationships that last into adulthood
The bond between siblings is often the longest relationship of our lives.  Nobody knows you quite like the person, or people, you grew up with; the brothers and sisters who shared your bath, argued over your toys and fought for your parents? attention. And nobody will back you up quite like a protective sibling.
Yet as anyone who has a sister or brother knows, sibling relationships can also be complicated; at worst, a source of bitter rivalry and resentment.
Unfortunately, this is the case for 34-year-old Kate, and her sister, Sophie. ?I was an accident and my parents had me in their late forties,? says Kate. ?My sister was convinced they always favoured me. Then at my dad?s funeral, she got insanely drunk and aired this grievance in front of the entire family.? Sadly, Kate and her sister are no longer on speaking terms. Yet as parents we yearn to see our children develop a closeness that will outlast childhood into adulthood, too.
So is there anything we can do to ensure this happens" Of course, there are short term benefits to encouraging our little darlings to ?be nice? to each other ? parenting is so much easier when they are playing harmoniously as opposed to hurling pieces of Lego at each other while wailing ?I had it first?.
But ultimately, we want our children to support each other when we are no longer around. ?If children get on well together when young, this can help b...