Jealousy in an elder child towards a new-born sibling is a relatively common phenomenon and can arise due to several reasons:
Attention shift: Before the new-born's arrival, the elder child might have been the center of attention for their parents. However, with the arrival of the baby, the parents' focus and time might shift more towards the infant, leading the elder child to feel neglected and left out.
Fear of displacement: The elder child might worry that the new-born will replace them in the affections of the parents. This fear of being displaced can trigger feelings of jealousy and insecurity.
Unfamiliarity: Young children may not fully understand the concept of a new sibling or may find it difficult to adjust to the changes in the family dynamic. This unfamiliarity can create anxiety and jealousy.
Attention-seeking: The elder child might engage in jealousy-driven behavior as a way of seeking attention from the parents. Negative attention is still attention, and when they act out of jealousy, they may get some response from the parents.
Developmental stage: Depending on the age and developmental stage of the elder child, they may not have the emotional maturity to handle these changes in a positive way, leading to jealousy as a reaction.
Perceived favoritism: The elder child may feel that the parents are showing more love and attention to the new-born, which can create feelings of resentment and jealousy.
Loss of independence: The elder child may feel that they have lost some of their independence and have to share resources like toys, time, and attention with the new sibling, leading to jealousy.
Feelings of exclusion: If the parents are particularly occupied with the new-born's needs, the elder child might feel excluded from family activities or conversations, further fueling jealousy.
It's important for parents to address these feelings of jealousy and help the elder child adjust to the new family dynamic. Encouraging open communication, spending quality one-on-one time with the elder child, involving them in caring for the baby (if appropriate), and reassuring them of their importance and love within the family can help ease feelings of jealousy and promote a healthier sibling relationship. Additionally, seeking professional advice or family counseling can be beneficial if the jealousy becomes persistent or significantly affects the elder child's emotional well-being.