How To Foster The Relationship Between Cousins ​​in The Family

The family is one of the fundamental pillars of our children’s lives. Parents and siblings are the first family nucleus, but grandparents, uncles and cousins ​​also play a fundamental role. These relatives are a basic element of socialization in the lives of children that gives them security and stability.

For children it is positive to have relationships with their siblings but also with their cousins. Many times they are children of the same age or other similar ones with whom they can share experiences and attitudes.

It can be said that they are their first social relationships with peers, from child to child. They will be able to play, have fun and socialize. And if they are older they will help them by example and give them security in their daily life.

Communication with cousins

Children’s first friends are usually their siblings and cousins. Our children interact from babies with children that they have the possibility of meeting in their daily lives and these are usually those of the family. Cousins ​​often meet children at family meals and on occasions such as vacations or parties.

Although they do not see each other often, children can share many special moments with them. Together they have to enjoy games, confidences or laughs. They will also be disappointed with them and get angry at times.

Children learn their first values ​​with their cousins. They can share their first toys, help each other through difficult times, and learn to be supportive. Relationships with cousins ​​are usually enriching for everyone and are one of the first steps in a child’s social relationships.

It must also be noted that among cousins, as among siblings, jealousy or envy may arise. These feelings are usually less intense than with siblings but they can also be important.

Let’s try to get the children to solve their problems by themselves and if we see that it is not possible, let’s mediate so that they can become friends again. We cannot isolate our children from the rest of the world. These feelings that arise from the relationship with their cousins ​​are normal and favor their socialization.

Tips for fostering the relationship between cousins

The first thing we parents have to try is to foster and facilitate the relationship between cousins. If children do not see each other or do not see each other frequently, they will not be able to establish any relationship.

We must try to stay with their parents, our siblings, often and that they can share moments from childhood. The friction makes the love. If the children do not see each other, it is impossible for them to establish a special bond.

If they are far away, new technologies now allow them to talk on the Internet, telephone or chat. Even if they only see each other twice a year, they can keep in touch thanks to these means.

A good idea may also be to propose joint trips to the cinema, to the children’s theater or to organize a weekend outing in a rural house. Children can for example sleep in the same room and share games and laughs.

It can also be fun if you invite a cousin to your house to play or spend several days. Those days will surely strengthen their relationship. If your cousins ​​are older, the contact between them will serve as an example and help you when you need it.

You can also let him go to sleep at his uncles’ house but never force him if he doesn’t want to. It has to be fun, not an obligation. For your child it will be a fun excursion in which they will have more time to get to know each other and strengthen their ties. 

A positive relationship

Relationships with cousins ​​up to the age of three are very important especially if the children do not go to nursery school or do not have siblings. Also when it comes to shy or introverted children. The possibilities are reduced to that they see other children in the park or that they share their games with their cousins.

As adults they will have positive memories of their childhood with their cousins. In his life, all those vital moments will surely have weight. In childhood we do not give importance to them but later they will be important in the set of their memories.

Do not hesitate. A child’s relationships with his cousins ​​will always be positive. It will help them to express their emotions from a young age and to interact with other children. Knowing children in the family from a young age will help them to be more independent, sociable and supportive.