"The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves."
-William Penn
Jealousy and childhood are synonymous. From the time they are toddlers, kids recognize that others sometimes have better, more, or different. While perfectly natural, jealousy is an emotion that often persists through adolescence, and requires a lot of adult intervention.
10 Tips for Managing Jealousy
- Identify the triggers of jealousy, and behavioral responses
- Normalize the emotion of jealousy
- Address how social media/technology creates jealousy through misrepresentation and bias
- Practice generosity by giving your time to a marginalized group
- Engage in a dialogue around strengths, and how to use those gifts for personal fulfillment and helping others
- Encourage QUALITY friendships over QUANTITY
- Model appreciation for what others' have, and their desire to share with you or your family
- Discourage comparison between siblings and friends
- Reframe jealousy or envy into an opportunity for personal growth
- Discuss how to respond when friends demonstrate negative behaviors as a result of their jealousy
