Answer: Most children think that mom or dad likes their brother or sister better than them. One way to handle it is not to fight it. Treat it with humor, while giving the children information. For example, when you spend time with one child on his homework and the other child gets jealous, say, “Get in line, you’re next.” Or, you could remind him that two weeks ago you spent an hour washing his clothes.
Another way to deal with it is to ignore it. Children feeling jealous of one another is their problem, not yours. You can acknowledge their feelings by saying, “You get angry when I spend time with your brother,” but you don’t have to agree or try to justify your actions.
Try to treat children as individuals instead of giving them exactly the same things or trying to treat them exactly the same. Praise individual accomplishments. “Jess, you did a good job washing the car.” “Turk, you brought your grade up to a C in algebra.” Don’t feel you have to treat them the same, because they are not the same. They are unique individuals.
Question answered by Diana Del Campo PhD. , Extension Child Development and Family Life Specialist at New Mexico State University (NMSU). Taken from the “Understanding Teens Guide F-22, NMSU