How To Get Your Little Brother to Stop Bugging You
You can choose your friends but not your family.It is up to you, as the older sibling, to set boundaries for a younger brother.There are some strategies that you can use to deal with your little brother.
Step 1: Sibling time should be set aside.
If your brother keeps pestering you when you are hanging out with your friends or chilling in your room, try scheduling a special time to do something with him.It's possible to plan a specific time each week to have fun with your brother.Ask him what he wants to do, or come up with an idea together.It is possible to set aside time during the week to do something you both enjoy.You can tell your brother that you will play video games with him on Tuesdays and Thursdays.Explain to him that you won't be able to do the special thing you planned if he keeps nagging.You could start a weekly tradition by going bowling or watching a movie.It will improve your relationship if you hang out with your brother frequently.He will be less likely to bug you if he knows you better.
Step 2: He should be introduced to friends.
Maybe your brother wants you to hang out because he doesn't have friends.He may have a hard time meeting people.He will be less likely to pester you if he has friends.If your friend has a younger brother that is the same age as yours, plan to do something together.The four of you could go to the park and hit the ball.If you don't know anyone with a younger sibling, take your brother places where he can meet a friend.Ask him if he wants to join the basketball game at the park if you have it.If your brother is shy, introduce him to the other children.
Step 3: It's a good idea to suggest a hobby.
Help your brother find something else to do.Hobbies that your brother can do alone will be the best suggestions.He might want you to help him with his hobby.Consider his interests.If he wants to start a bug collection, ask him if he's really interested in insects.Maybe your brother likes to read.Take him to the library and give him a book you really enjoyed.Spending a couple hours at the library might result in less pestering since your brother will be reading.If your brother likes to build things, you could give him a model airplane.He can build his own computer if you help him gather old hardware.
Step 4: You should teach him a sport.
Maybe your brother wants to go to the skate park, but doesn't know how to do tricks.He will be more confident going to the park by himself if you teach him how and help him practice.He will make friends with other kids who skate.He wants to try a sport and you can help him get the equipment he needs.You can help him pick out the stuff he needs by taking him to a sporting goods store.If your brother doesn't have enough money to buy a skateboard or basketball sneakers, you can help him earn some extra cash.If your parents will pay you to clean the garage, offer to help your brother do it, but not demand any of the money.If he has a birthday coming up, you can give him a gift card.
Step 5: You can offer a reward or bribe.
If your brother will stop bothering you, promise him something.If he will leave you alone, give him your ipod or television show.Your brother interrupted you while you were trying to finish your homework.He can't bother you if you loan him something for a short period of time.
Step 6: Help your brother comprehend.
It is possible that your brother does not understand why privacy and personal space are important.Explain to him why you don't like him going through your stuff.Ask your brother if he would be okay with you rearranging his belongings and possibly breaking them.If you were to think about it, your brother would not like it if you did these things.He will be encouraged to reexamine his behavior.When your brother gets older, tell him that.He will want his own space.It is not appropriate to go through someone else's stuff without asking first.Sharing can be great, but it is time and place.If the problem continues, ask for a family meeting to discuss privacy and personal space.Don't make a situation where your brother is attacked.Explain how you feel when your space is invaded.Stressing your feelings is better than his actions.If your brother doesn't want to leave your stuff alone, you could give him a container or box and decorate it.Tell him that he can collect things here.You can help your brother find a hiding place for the box by putting one of his prized possessions in it.You will be teaching him about privacy and personal belongings in a way that he can understand.
Step 7: If you can, take away the temptation.
If your brother messes with one or two of your belongings, see if you can put them somewhere else.You can keep them in your locker, a friend's house, or your parents' room.If your brother sneaks into your room to play with your guitar, you should ask your music teacher if you can keep it there.When you aren't using the guitar, you could ask your parents if you can keep it in their room.Your brother won't be able to sneak into your parents room.
Step 8: Ask your parents if they have a lock.
Explain the extent of the situation to your parents if your brother is constantly snooping in your room.If they would allow you to lock your room when you are not at home, your brother would not be able to break into your things.Your parents might be hesitant to allow you to lock your room since you would be locking them out of your brother's room as well.It is important to say that you want them to have a key so that they can access your room when you are not at home.You can't lock your brother out of your room if you share it with him.You could ask your parents for a lock box where you could keep the important things that your brother messes with.Again, emphasize that you want your parents to have a key so that they know you aren't trying to keep secrets from them.
Step 9: Passwords should be put on electronic devices and online accounts.
If your brother takes your phone, laptop, or ipod, you can password protect it so that he can't use it.Changing the password on your online accounts is a must.Maybe you have a shared computer with your family.If your brother snoops through your email or social media accounts, you should make sure that the passwords aren't saved on the computer and that you have to manually type in your password.If your brother reads your school work on your shared computer, you should save it on a flash drive or in a password protected cloud storage platform.
Step 10: Think about why your brother dislikes you.
Maybe your brother is jealous of you.Maybe you think your brother is annoying because he gets all the attention.It is common for an older sibling to think the younger sibling is the favorite.There are sometimes butt heads between you and your brother.Even if you don't like your brother, you can still be kind to him.If your parents only give attention to your younger brother and you feel left out, you may want to ask for a family meeting or talk to them one on one.Explain that you want a good relationship with your brother and that the conflict is caused by your jealousy.Try to come up with a solution.It's possible that your parents don't know that you feel that way.You shouldn't accuse them of neglecting you.Rather than focusing on what they don't do, focus on your feelings.
Step 11: Don't get into an argument right away.
Don't take the bait if your brother tries to pick fights.Keep doing what you are doing.You can say something like "I'll have to think about what you said" if you discover that you can't keep yourself from responding negatively.If it's necessary, lock the door.
Step 12: Talk about it.
Make it sound like you are attacking your brother by asking why he is bothering you.If he continues to bother you, tell him that you feel sad and hurt when he does things to you.
Step 13: It is a phase.
You don't want to hurt your relationship with your brother.When you get older, your brother might become a close friend.
Step 14: Don't spend time together.
We fight with a lot of people.You will have a better relationship if you take a break from your brother.If you can't avoid your brother at home, join an after school club or volunteer.You would be taking yourself out of the situation and doing something positive for yourself or your community.
Step 15: Take action.
You are the one starting a dialogue with your brother in most of the scenarios.Communication your needs and feelings with words is important because you want to solve the problem instead of making it worse.Don't talk to your brother when you are angry at each other.If you can not follow through, don't promise your brother something.If you set aside time to hang out, make sure you don't schedule anything else.Let your brother know the truth.He will resent you if you are being dishonest.
Step 16: Speak calmly.
Don't shout or raise your voice.If you start screaming and your parents don't want to hear you argue, the situation will only get worse.Do not respond immediately if your brother says something.Take a few deep breaths.You might get some time to cool down if you use physical distance.
Step 17: Show your brother respect.
Don't talk to your brother.He isn't incapable of understanding when you're being rude.Speak fast or use sarcasm.Pretend he's a friend of yours.How would you talk to a friend if they were doing something you didn't like?
Step 18: Don't get physical.
Do not engage in violence.Do not hit, pinch, or bite your brother.If you have to, sit on your hands.Do not retaliate if your brother is violent towards you.Your brother has shown aggression towards you.Was it in response to something you said or did?Try to avoid creating a situation where your brother will respond with violence in the future.When you ignore him, your brother may hit you.When he is talking to you or asking for help, acknowledge that he has spoken.Explain to him that you are busy and you can help him later.
Step 19: Be a role model.
Your brother wants to be like you.He wants to be around you even if he is being mean to you.Showing him how to handle difficult situations with grace is the right thing to do.He will thank you one day.