06/01/2026

LYFE TUESDAY | JAN 6, 2026

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Effectively mitigating family conflicts

o Understanding sibling friction, paving path to resolution

Ű BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR

S IBLINGS butting heads have long transcended age, ethnicity, gender, economic status, cultures and borders. Experts studying family dynamics note several recurring triggers: attention or resources over rivalry, differences in personality or lifestyle and stress from outside factors. Recognising these sources can help families reduce tension. One common trigger is competition for parents’ attention or family resources. Young family members, be it teens or adults, may still feel they must compete with siblings over taking responsibility for household chores, receiving financial help or emotional support. This perceived imbalance often leads to resentment that results in repeated arguments, caused by a build up of small frustrations over time. Differences in personality and lifestyle also drive conflict, as there are those who are outgoing and social, while some prefer solitude or quiet. As teens become young adults, their routines, ambitions and values may diverge significantly – which can clash with siblings whose lives follow different rhythms. Small mismatches in habits such

By doing household chores together, the equal division of tasks can reduce jealousy and arguments among siblings.

voices while maintaining honesty will certainly help with relational longevity. Encouraging siblings to voice frustrations without blame can dissipate tension early. Families that use calm language instead of accusations see fewer recurring fights and more diplomacy. External support or structured activities can help shift relationship dynamics. Shared hobbies, cooperative tasks or family projects build a sense of teamwork. When siblings come together, goodwill and growth are the results. Finally, empathy and patience go a long way. Understanding that each sibling may face personal stress helps drive empathetic responses. A simple gesture of support or a listening ear can defuse anger and rebuild connection. It is worth remembering that arguments between siblings are seldom caused by a single factor. They usually are results from a mix of perceived unfairness, personality differences, rivalry and stress. However, families that commit to fairness, clear boundaries, honest talk and mutual support can turn conflict into something worthwhile, even as siblings grow into adulthood.

sibling gets more opportunities such as gadgets, travel or parental favour. Such disparity may result in the rest of the siblings feeling overlooked and that feeling can persist into adulthood and trigger disputes when expectations are unfulfilled. Curtailing sibling civil wars Giving each person space and respecting boundaries helps as these siblings mature into adults, recognising that each has their own commitments in life and routines reduces friction. For example, agreeing on separate personal spaces or times to hang out helps manage overlapping needs for privacy and interaction. Additionally, parents and older family members should be fair in dividing resources and responsibilities and theses matters should be dealt with in full transparency. Less resentment is felt among siblings when fairness is the standard. This means sharing in chores and expenses equally and talking openly about who does what. Cultivating good communication habits, especially speaking in calm

mood and patience. When one sibling feels stressed, they may react more sharply to comments or actions from another. That often ignites arguments over minor matters as temperaments run short and compassion wears thin. Jealousy or perceived unfairness also plays a role, particularly if one

as sleep schedules, chores or use of shared spaces can cause repeated arguments, triggering misunderstandings. Outside of what goes on inside the house, external stress plays a role and may add fuel to the flame. Issues such as school pressure, work demands or financial worries affect

Contrasting personalities will usually lead to arguments. – PICS FROM FREEPIK

Japan begins foreign-language babysitting services amid tourism boom FOREIGN-LANGUAGE babysitting services for tourists are beginning to take off in Japan. The trend is driven by demand among wealthy families who wish to enjoy aspects of Japanese culture that may be difficult to experience with young kids, Kyodo News Agency revealed. traveller needs amid Japan’s inbound tourism boom. Kelvin Young who was visiting Japan from California in late November with his family, left his five-year-old and two-year-old by Synk Inc, a company based in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture that employs one nurse and nine English speaking nationally certified childcare workers. temples and visits to local Japanese nursery schools. “By providing children with specialised experiences, we want parents to be able to enjoy time for themselves without hesitation,” said Synk president Saya Sugahara. offering an online service for guests to book such babysitters.

According to government data, 2024 saw around 36.8 million foreign visitors come to Japan, of which about 690,000 were aged four or younger. A senior researcher at Japan Travel Bureau Foundation Akane Kakishima noted that such services “could also help revitalise the night-time economy” as trips with children tend to limit opportunities for adult focused spending. – Bernama-Kyodo

The company has already handled over 50 requests since launching the service in April 2025 – with fees starting from 54,000 yen (RM1,400) for three hours. In addition to babysitting at the hotel and walks, Synk also offers activities such as Zen meditation at

daughters with a nanny at their hotel. For about four hours, he and his wife enjoyed a visit to a high-end sushi restaurant in Tokyo that is not well suited to families with young kids. The childcare service was provided

Tokyo-based major childcare provider Poppins Corp has also stepped up recruitment of foreign language-speaking babysitters since spring of last year. Meanwhile, Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel has begun

Some services also provide hands-on programmes for the young ones, allowing both parents and kids to make the most of their time. The trend reflects the diversification of