Childhood Jealousy: When Mom Becomes the Biggest Foe
Childhood Jealousy: When Mom Becomes the Biggest Foe
Published: April 15, 2014
Sometimes, children’s jealousy can be much stronger and more intense than that of adults. In families with multiple children, especially when there’s a significant age gap, this can often lead to loud arguments and hurt feelings.
The Struggle of the Elder Child
The older child may start to feel forgotten and unnecessary, as all the parental attention seems to be directed towards the younger sibling. Mothers often shower the younger child with affectionate words and hugs, while expecting the older one to follow instructions, considering them mature and independent enough. This situation can be further exacerbated if the children are from different fathers, which can lead to even more resentment and aggression from the older child.
The Tarasov Family’s Story
This was the case in the Tarasov family. Alena, the mother, remarried and had a daughter, Sonya, while she already had a daughter, Yulia, from her first marriage. Now, Yulia is 12 years old, and Sonya is 6. Alena devotes most of her time and attention to Sonya, which has led Yulia to feel jealous and start stress-eating, resulting in rapid weight gain.
Yulia has turned into a resentful teenager, trying to get back at her mother through her actions and rebellious behavior. Alena’s second husband, Sergey, tends to avoid such problems and relieves stress through alcohol. His drinking binges upset Alena, causing her to take out her anger on Yulia. Realizing that the situation has reached a deadlock, the Tarasovs sought help from the project “Honey, We Are Killing Our Children” on STB channel.
Expert Advice and Family Challenges
The project’s psychologists advised Alena to start with herself, reassess her psycho-emotional state, and aggressive behavior. They also noted that it’s crucial for Alena to sort out her relationship with her current husband, as their constant conflicts leave a highly negative impact on the children. For the first time in many years, the couple will spend time together over a romantic dinner, where Sergey and Alena can finally have an open conversation about all the pressing issues.
Meanwhile, 12-year-old Yulia will face a challenge – she will stay home and take care of the household, as well as look after her younger sister Sonya. The girls are also expected to attend modeling school classes to help them overcome their complexes and shyness.
The family successfully completes these stages, but upon returning home, Alena has another argument with Yulia. The project team sends the mother and the elder daughter to a remote location far from civilization. Will they be able to survive in extreme conditions? Watch the latest episode of the program “Honey, We Are Killing Our Children” at 10:25 PM on STB channel.
