Your fault - not mine.....

The following is taken totally out of context from a recent article on MSN to make you look like the bad guy. And me.....Poor helpless victim (heck - whatever works)

**Rivalry develops out of sibling conflict as a result of parental intervention. (See, your fault)

**When parents intervene in a conflict between siblings, one child almost always ends up being identified as the villain and the other as the victim. (Let's guess who was blamed....hmmmm)

**Nonetheless, far more often than not, the unspoken message to one child is, "You did something wrong," while the message to the other child is, "You did not deserve to be treated like that." (Boo hoo - its just a little scar - it builds character)

**In effect, the parent sides with and sympathizes with the victim, making him or her the "winner." (They called him that in a whisper when I was around - I heard it...I know)

**The siblings begin to learn that when in conflict with someone else, there is an advantage to playing the role of the victim. (Waa Waa Waa )

**The one who "wins" is regarded by both children as more loved or favored. (Hence - the sticking out of the tounge following said fights - not naming names)

**Siblings feel love and loyalty toward each other, mixed with frustration, resentment, and jealousy. You can't squelch the negative, so respond like this: "I know your sister irritates you, and you see her as a pest....Me too" (A conversation I know occured)

I'm not pointing fingers or anything....

I'm just saying.