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Parents Who Create Sibiling Rivalries

They go undetected for many years, parents who have gossiped, lied, brainwashed, stolen their children's things, and done more that made sons and daughters cold toward one another.  They are told to, "Keep this to yourself...I didn't want to tell you this, but...don't tell your brother and sister what I said."


The deceit they come up with can be enormous!  They can go from smiling in their children's faces to threatening to take money and assets away over minor offenses.  These parents have been described as narcissistic, bi-polar, borderline, etc.  Whatever the label for them, you know that you are a victim if you can relate.


Now sibling rivalries show up in ways that look like they are just about sibling issues, but what some don't realize is that when dealing with devious parents they are often conjured up as a result of what a parent said or did.  Think back to a time when a parent told you something your brother or sister said  and how you reacted to the news.  Most likely, the parent shared the story in the hopes that there would be a negative response; therefore, he or she has someone on his or her side. 


One of the worst things that a sibling could do to another sibling is side with the parent over something that has little or nothing to do with them!  What benefit does one gain by going along just to get along with a parent?  Possibly a gift or two, an appearance at an event, a money loan, a mention in a will, temporary acceptance, a compliment, and more from a deceitful and possibly unloving parent.  He or she might even go so far as to ask a son or daughter to lie, exaggerate, or come up with a story that goes against the child's brother or sister.  Why would a brother or sister be willing?  Because most likely he or she has a wish to be in mom or dad's good graces.  This person might be desperate for mom and dad's attention and approval.  If mom or dad's request is accepted and done properly by the son or daughter, the parent might reward his or her obedient slave.  The golden child like the scapegoat becomes a slave over time.  He or she is expected to do for the parent, because the individual accepted that parent's gifts in the past.  On the other hand, the scapegoat, rebellious or discerning son or daughter who speaks up and sees the parental foolishness is not well-received or liked and talked about badly for not meeting the parent's needs.


When siblings stop arguing, holding grudges against one another and start comparing notes, they will see many instances where mentally ill mom (or dad) was in fact pitting them against one another.  He or she played guilt trips, demanded things, threatened, used, and abused to make his or her children respond.  Sometimes these parents will act very sweetly, behave in ways that deceive sons, daughters and others into thinking that they are "good" people, changed their ways, kind, and reputable.  However, the reality is that nothing has improved with a parent who has been deceitful for decades!


There are many sons and daughters who are blinded to the psychological games of devious moms and dads everywhere!  They can't fathom dear mom or poor dad coming up with ways to get his sons or daughters to "do as I say, but not as I do."  So they fall in their traps while hating a brother or sister who was treated as that "troubled one...problem child...never respected mom...hated dad."


These same parents don't hesitate to use whatever tools necessary to make them appear as if they are good.  From church attendance to handing out money during holidays, as long as their reputation looks good in their eyes, then everyone else should take notice.  They will seek the attention from their children and remind them to offer up praise, because "Well, the Bible says to honor me..." says the self-righteous parents.




Nicholl McGuire author of Know Your Enemy:  The Christian's Critic.  

Appreciate What You Have - When It's Gone, It's Gone - Life, Love, Family, Money, Home

Every second someone dies in this world.  How many of those people who were on their last hours prior to death even gave a thought about their lives, family, help they could have provided others, etc.?  What regrets did they have?  What had they wished to do had they not died?


Consider those who have lost much still walking this earth.  Now that their life storms have passed, how are they living and what are they doing to show love to others, enjoy life, encourage family, assist others financially, etc.?


People living life good right now aren't thinking too much about what more they hope to accomplish when it comes to love, relationships, money, and more because they are comfortable.  They take one day at a time--the house is here, the love is there--all is good.


Yet, far too many people take advantage of the fact that partners and children will always be there.  They assume that each day will be more of the same, so "I don't need to change, do anything different, I am who I am," they say.  The rich, selfish, miserable, and unforgiving, all start their days not even thinking about a divine Creator who controls life and death.  They live as if they are fully in control of their lives and others, that is until bad news arrives.


Now a once peaceful life is disturbed.  The "should have, could have, would have" emotions start flooding in.  Too busy to talk on the phone to loved ones.  No time to see a dying relative.  No money to share with someone or a family who needs help.  This is what happened up until the terrible news was received.


Now tears fall from faces, hearts are heavy, and memories flood minds.  There are regrets, promises made, and hope for the future until life storms pass.  Then it is more of the same.


Appreciate what you have.  Listen to that gut feeling.  Ask yourself, "What have I been putting off that continues to gently remind me to tend to it?"  Is it a phone call, an email, a document, a visit, an important legal matter...?  Do what you can while there is still time to do it!


Nicholl McGuire is the author of When Mothers Cry. 

Parents: The Danger of Not Making Children Listen

When Mothers Cry: Showing Love to Mothers: Divorced, Single, Married and Depressed Moms: Parents: The Danger of Not Making Children Listen ...: They run through parking lots, pull down things from shelves, interrupt adults in heated battles, make loud noises in quiet settings, climb...

How Much Do You Really Know About Your Family?

The time will come one day when you will wonder, "What is it that I need to know about a parent or relative?"  Maybe it has already come for you, but what have you done about it?

• Did you sit down and talk with your loved one in an effort to truly get to know him or her?
• Did you write a family history book?
• Did you think of collecting family keepsakes and photographing them so that others might enjoy them?
• Have you thought of getting others' personal accounts about the relative in question?

The sad reality is that most family members know more about popular reality show stars, black history, musicians, and even their best friend's family then they know about their own history.  Who are you really?  Where did you come from? 


Something to think about.


Nicholl McGuire also contributes to a blog for people who are easily bored with life, things, and people here.

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On Greed - When Relatives Ask for Too Much

How much money does one really need when he or she has almost everything?  Is it necessary to ask for things just because someone is willing to give them to you?  For some of us, we wouldn't dare ask a relative who had little money and other resources to buy or give us some things.  Yet, there are those relatives who are bold enough to do just that!  They don't mind stating what they want and if select family members don't do for them, they will not hesitate to bad mouth them.


When one attends a holiday celebration, most likely he or she isn't paying much attention to the greedy people in the family until they do or say something that upsets others.  It can be a turn off to witness individuals pack food on large plates, ask for third and fourth helpings, talk incessantly about getting more of something, and joke about taking all of what sits before others.  These people who just love to take more than they give, are typically ignored by other adults or scolded by patriarchs and matriarchs while children observe.


What some greedy people don't realize is that their behavior is passed down to the naïve who watch them fight, curse, swindle, and do other things to get more of something.  Then young observers grow up and do the same things--acting selfishly while expecting others to meet their demands.  These greedy men and women, who just can't get enough of something, are a disservice to others.  Negative behaviors like greed must be exposed if one hopes to stop certain habits. 


1.  Tell the person who is acting greedy to stop.  (If you know you are greedy, think about what you are saying and doing that is hurting others and halt the urge to want to take more than your fair share.) 
2.  Explain to the greedy person why the behavior shouldn't continue and give examples.
3.  Advise the individual of the consequences if he or she should refuse correction.
4.  Don't invite, share, or encourage greed of any kind.
5.  Avoid assisting people who already have more than enough.  Politely say something like, "I know you might like XYZ; however, there are still others who need this...you might want to look into...or buy the item yourself...I hope you understand."  Then walk away.  Don't argue with a person who obviously has a problem with greed.
6.  When greedy people make a small effort to help someone, even though what they did was okay, don't brag about their deeds.  They will falsely assume that their unsatisfactory deeds were great even though they weren't anything worth mentioning.
7.  If your greedy relative should insist on asking you or someone else to do or give them something, don't give in, keep refusing them.


No one should have to put up with anyone who refuses to see how their negative behavior impacts others.  Stand your ground and remind the greedy person that others might want whatever the item(s) might be and if there is something left over than you are willing to part with it/them.


Nicholl McGuire also maintains a blog for Christians entitled, Face Your Foe.