Try to follow a few simple steps to avoid conflict with your brother or sister:

1. Take a minute to think about the situation, are you overreacting?
2. If you feel jealous of the attention your sibling is receiving, think about times when he or she may have felt the same way.  Remember that you have been praised for your talents at some point, too.
3. Try to be proud of your siblings because whether you know it or not, you helped make him or her the person that he or she is today.  That includes helping to advance their talents.
4. Talk to a parent, trusted adult or other uninvolved person who can help you to fix the problem.
5. Ask your parents for input, not interference.  It is important that you and your sibling learn to resolve the problem on your own.  If you can do this, then when problems arise again, you know how to deal with them.
6. Request equal punishment from your parents – even though one of you may be older.  If you are both old enough to know right from wrong then there should be no difference in the way you are treated in case of conflict.
7. Choose a time when you aren’t fighting to talk calmly with your siblings and parents about creative ways to resolve problems.
8. Make sure to listen to the complaints of your siblings.  This will make them more likely to listen to your complaints – remember that communication can get you through misunderstandings before they turn into fights
9. Observe successful friendships and family relationships around you.  Take note of how they work and try to apply these rules to your interactions with siblings.

Get Over It
Even though you may fight with your siblings at times, it is important to remind yourself that when dealing with family – no matter how annoying it may be – you must be fair and supportive.  The following are some tips for getting over your problems:

1. You don’t need to compete with your siblings, because you are different people.  Though a little jealousy is normal, telling yourself that your bother or sister feels the same way at some point can help you to appreciate their talents as much as you enjoy their shortcomings!
2. If you aren’t getting enough attention, don’t pout.  Just agree to take turns so that neither you or your sibling constantly feels neglected.
3. Agree to find ways to include each other in your every day activities – if it is something that you or your sibling can not do, try to teach each other or agree to do something else that both of you can take part in at another time.
4. Try to give more attention to finding a solution than to finding out who is at fault.