It’s usually during the hectic moments?the morning rush or supper?that one of the Byers kids starts directing traffic. ?You know you?re not supposed to leave your markers on the floor,? 10-year-old Justin will remind his seven-year-old brother, Nathan, or four-year-old sister, Brenna. ?Boys! It?s dinnertime,? Brenna will chide back. ?You?re supposed to be at the table.?
In this family of three kids, siblings routinely try their hand at being in charge, says their mom, Lori. They tell one another what to do, remind each other of the rules and critique their siblings? work. (?That?s wrong! Why are you doing that"? Justin often remarks about others? projects.) This kind of faux parenting is common among school-agers, says Judy Arnall, a Calgary-based parenting expert and author of the book Parenting With Patience. ?They?re learning leadership, learning what works and doesn?t work when motivating other people.? After all, they get told what to do all the time?why not turn the tables" Some kids may also exert their power over siblings to earn themselves brownie points with parents. In some cases, it?s the eldest flexing his authority over younger ones; when kids gain more freedom and responsibilities, they sometimes assume the right to authority is part of the package. (When Justin started walking home from school alone, his bossiness increased, for example.)  .related-article-block{display:inline-block;width:300px;padding:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem;float:right...