Q&A for How to Sibling Proof Your Room

You can keep your phone with you, in a locked box, or keep it hidden somewhere in your room. You may also be able to set up a password on your phone so that even if someone does touch your phone, they won't be able to use it.

Good question! If you share a room, sit down with your sibling and come up with an agreement about which areas of the room you will share, and which areas are for your respective personal items. You may want to write up a list and post it in your room to remind both of you to honor the agreement.

It sounds like he probably admires you and wants to be around you and spend time together. See if you can find something you both enjoy doing, such as playing cards or board games, putting puzzles together, or doing projects. Then set aside certain times to play with him. If he is in your room outside of those times and he's bothering you, you can say "I can't play right now, but we're going to spend time together at seven o'clock, remember?"

You will have to explain in simple terms, such as "No, that is mine. Let's go get one of your toys." You'll also need to remind them when they forget, and be patient and consistent. Ask your parents for tips if you're having trouble getting through to your young siblings about respecting your things.

If there is physical fighting, you should definitely get your parents involved. If there is physical or emotional harm involved, adult intervention is recommended.

That can actually make it easier for you to reach an understanding, because your sibling is old enough to understand how you feel. Consider how your sibling feels, and try to get them to understand your point of view as well. Talk it out calmly and negotiate with each other until you can reach a compromise.

Try to get them to sympathize with your feelings. Try saying, "How would you feel if I went into your room and got rid of your stuff? You wouldn't like that, right? That's the same way I feel. Can we agree to ask each other for permission first before touching each other's things, then?"

You can come up with solutions between you and your siblings, such as: if the curtain is closed, they should knock on the wall first to ask if they can come in. If the curtain is open, it's okay to come in.

Keep trying to come up with peaceful solutions between you, your siblings and your parents. Stay calm and don't give up trying to reach a compromise. Life often requires negotiating, and the more you practice your negotiation skills, the better you will get at conflict resolution!

Avoid trying to get revenge against your sibling. This will only encourage a negative cycle of you two trying to get each other back, and nothing good will come out of it.

Consider keeping the cat treats somewhere else so that both of you can access them. Try talking to your brother to get him to understand who you feel. Try asking, "How would you feel if I barged into your room and went through your personal things?" Do what you can to work it out peacefully between you and him. If that isn't possible, get your parents involved to come up with solutions and enforce them.

This isn't advisable. Someone could accidentally get hurt, or one of your parents could set off the trap instead. Try to come to agreements with words instead. If you can't work it out directly between you and your siblings, get your parents involved. If it continues to be a problem, ask your parents if you can have a lock for your door or a locked chest for your special possessions.