Kim Kardashian opens up about this rarely discussed parenting issue

Sibling rivalry can be a very real issue for parents. Just ask Kim Kardashian.

The reality TV star has opened up about the tricky dynamic between daughter, North, 4 and her little brother, Saint, 20 months.

Chatting to Ryan Seacrest while filling in for host Kelly Ripa on ‘Live with Kelly and Ryan’, the ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ star revealed that North isn’t particularly fond of her baby bro.

Revealing that the relationship between her children is nothing like that of her and her siblings growing up, Kim went on to explain that North still seems to be jealous of the attention Saint gets.

“I mean, I don’t know if it’s because she’s the older sister,” she said. “I don’t know what it is. I thought it was a phase. She does not like her brother.”

“It’s so hard for me,” the mum-of-two continued. “And I thought it was like, OK, a couple months, she’s just warming up to it. She would get so jealous when I would breastfeed and all that kind of stuff. And now the phase isn’t going away.”

Kim went on to reveal that North goes as far as hosting girls-only tea parties and “slam[ming] the door on her brother’s face.” Both children often end up crying after the altercation, leaving the reality star torn about who to console first.

Parents of two or more children will likely be groaning in recognition right now, because a new addition to a family can kickstart a period of jealousy from older siblings used to having the majority of the attention.

But while many, like Kim, would expect things to settle down after a few months, some parents find sibling rivalry continues long after the new baby has entered the toddlerhood (and in some cases continue right through to the teens.) Yikes!

The NHS suggests a period of adjustment is to be expected between siblings and advises parents not to expect them to instantly love each other the way you love them. “Accept that your older child might not love their new brother or sister at first,” the website states. “They may not feel the way you do. It’s lovely if they share your pleasure, but don’t expect it.”

They also have some suggestions for tricks to make older siblings feel more accepting of their new sibling including keeping their routine and activities as normal as possible, encouraging them to help with and take an interest in new siblings and distracting them during periods when the baby needs your full attention.

Most of all they advise parents not to feel disillusioned if the sibling love doesn’t seem to kick in for quite some time. It might not be commonly discussed but there are many families, like the Kardashian-Wests, dealing with this type of parenting issue for years, rather than months.

But while it’s certainly not easy, at least Kim opening up about her struggles might make it less of a not-talked-about taboo.

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