Ah, sibling rivalry—the age-old battle of who’s fastest, who’s first, and who gets the biggest slice of cake. As a parent, I’ve been there, done that, and got the “Dad of the Year” mug (okay, fine, I bought it for myself). But the other day, I had a lightbulb moment that changed everything. Instead of asking my kids, “Who can get to the car first?” I tried something new. And let me tell you, it was like discovering a secret parenting hack that not only got us out the door on time but also brought my kids closer together. Intrigued? Let me spill the tea.

The Day I Stopped Saying “Who’s Fastest?”
Picture this: it’s a typical Thursday morning, and we’re running late (again). The kids are dawdling, the shoes are missing, and I’m one spilled cereal away from losing my cool. My go-to line was always, “Who can get to the car first?” And, honestly, it worked like a charm. They’d sprint like they were being chased by a pack of wild dogs, and we’d be out the door in record time. But then it hit me—what was I really teaching them?

The Lightbulb Moment
I realised I was unintentionally pitting them against each other. Sure, it got the job done, but at what cost? Siblings shouldn’t feel like they’re on opposite teams. So, I decided to try something different. Instead of saying, “Who’s fastest?” I said, “Can you two get to the car before I do?” And just like that, the dynamic shifted.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
What happened next was nothing short of magical. One grabbed the shoes, the other opened the door. They were laughing, helping each other, and actually having fun. It wasn’t about winning anymore—it was about working together (and beating Daddy). And let me tell you, it was a parenting win I didn’t see coming.

Small Tweaks, Big Changes
Since that day, I’ve made it a habit to frame things as a team effort. “Can you guys put your toys away before the timer goes off?” or “Can you both fold your laundry as fast as I can?” It’s not about racing each other; it’s about racing with each other. And the best part? It’s brought them closer. Instead of keeping score, they’re cheering each other on. Instead of arguing, they’re helping each other out.

Why It Matters
The world will teach our kids to compete—whether it’s in school, sports, or even who gets the last Jaffa Cake. But at home, we can teach them to collaborate. I want my kids to look at each other and think, “That’s my partner. That’s my teammate.” Because one day, when life gets hard, I want them to know they’ve got each other.

Give It a Go!
So, next time you’re tempted to say, “Who’s fastest?” try flipping the script. Make it about teamwork instead of competition. It’s a small change, but it could make a world of difference. And who knows? You might just find your kids high-fiving each other instead of squabbling over who got to the car first.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a timer to set and a sibling team to cheer on.

Love from Dad (and part-time sibling referee) 🏃‍♂️🤝✨