Today, Lara sits down with one of Canada’s most trusted parenting voices to tackle a topic that hits close to home for almost every family: sibling rivalry.
Alyson Schafer is an Adlerian family counsellor, internationally acclaimed parenting expert, best-selling author, and familiar face on national media outlets like The Marilyn Denis Show, CTV News Channel, and HuffPost Parents. With a Master’s in Counselling, decades of hands-on experience, and her signature “firm but friendly” approach, Alyson has helped thousands of families navigate conflict with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
In this conversation, Alyson unpacks what sibling rivalry really is—why it happens, what your children are truly trying to communicate through their clashes, and how birth order may be shaping the dynamics in your home. She also reveals why parents should resist the urge to constantly play referee, and instead focus on fostering skills that will help siblings work things out on their own. One of her favourite tools? Family meetings—simple, structured gatherings that build mutual respect, improve communication, and transform household harmony.
Whether your kids’ arguments are an occasional annoyance or a constant source of stress, Alyson’s insights offer both immediate strategies and a refreshing mindset shift. You’ll walk away feeling equipped to handle sibling tension in a way that strengthens, not strains, your family bonds.
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Follow Alyson’s work:https://alysonschafer.com/
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Follow Parenting Ed-Ventures on Instagram:@parentingedventurespod
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Learn more about Tutor Teach:https://tutorteach.ca/
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Intro Music: Good Times by Patrick Patrikios
Sting Music: Purple Planet Music - Timelapse