Headspace Ideas

Sibs need opportunities (apart from just going to school) for time and space away from their brother or sister to develop their own individual leisure activities and skills. Here are some ideas to help Sibs find some headspace:

• Allow Sibs to have one morning off school a term to spend quality time with mum or dad and do an activity together that you normally wouldn't get a chance to do, such as see a film or have a milkshake at a café.

• Try and arrange a 'special place' at home your Sib can go to, put up a 'Do Not Disturb' sign, and have a bit of privacy. If they don't have a bedroom of their own perhaps they can take over the bathroom for 45 minutes to listen to CDs and have a bath, or maybe there is somewhere in the garden or garage they can have just for themselves.

• Encourage Sibs to join a sports team, either at school or through a local community sports club. Not only will they have a regular opportunity to get out of the house for games and training sessions, but they will make new friends with their team mates and develop their fitness too!

• Look into the possibility of your Sib taking private music lessons or joining a choir – again, they will have a regular opportunity to get out of the house for their lessons as well as something of their very own to practice. Playing an instrument in a band or singing in a choir is also a great way to meet other like-minded people and make friends.

• Encourage another significant adult in your Sib's life (perhaps an aunt or uncle, godparent or family friend) to take a special interest in your Sib, and organise for them to take your Sib out from time to time.

If you can think of any other ways Sibs may be able to get a bit of headspace that could be added to this list, contact our Siblings Worker Gemma Holleran at the Association office on 03 9818 2000 or by email sibs@acd.org.au