Confidence and Pressure
How Do I Handle Sibling Rivalry When My Children Play the Same Sport?
Rhema Adelaja · National Champion & 4x DUX
Praise effort, not results. Avoid comparing your children and treat each as an individual. Notice if you are playing favourites, and spread your excitement across each child's interests, not only the sport. Keep competition on the field, and let home be a place where they are on the same team.
The answer
- Praise effort, not performance. Effort is something every child can control, and it helps them keep going when things get hard.
- Avoid comparing your children. Their peers and the children themselves will compare. Treat each as an individual so it does not feel like one against the other.
- Check for favourites. It is easy to get most excited about a big result or a move up a level. Spread your support and joy to other talents too, such as music or dance.
- Keep the competition on the field. Rivalry there can push them to improve. At home they need a break from it.
- Remind them they are on the same team in and out of the sport.
- If the rivalry is causing a problem, find the exact leak instead of adding more pressure.
For information only. This is general information for student-athletes, not medical, legal, financial or professional advice. Talk to a qualified professional about your own situation. Terms
Rules and amounts change. Check the official source before you act. Last checked: 29 October 2026.