Seeking Advice: Sibling Rivalry and Extracurricular Overload

Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out because I’m in a bit of a bind and could really use some advice. I have two wonderful children, Zoey and Joshua. Zoey, my eldest, has recently started taking Joshua to a variety of extracurricular activities. While I appreciate her enthusiasm and the fact that she wants Joshua to excel, I’m starting to get concerned about the underlying reasons and the pressure it might be putting on him.

It seems like Zoey is doing this to ensure Joshua is better than their cousin, Dylan. I understand sibling rivalry to some extent, but this feels like it’s going too far. Joshua is only 8, and I don’t want him to feel overwhelmed or like he has to constantly compete.

Has anyone else dealt with a similar situation? How can I talk to Zoey about this without discouraging her from being involved in Joshua’s life? And how can I ensure Joshua is participating in activities because he enjoys them, not because he feels he has to be better than someone else?

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Hazel