Jealousy in children

Jealousy is a complex emotion composed by fear, sadness, rage and self criticism that children can feel when another sibiling is born. To feel this emotion children need to be specially bond to a paternal figure and have expectatives about the relationship with their parents. This happens around 12-24 months of age. In this article, different factors that might help parents to understand their jealous child are reviewed. Letting children handle their own problems without parental intervention is seriously encouraged. Explaning the child what is happening, with patiente, empathy and sense of humor is a good way to help children to overcome this feeling.