Sibling Rivalry, Birth Order & Fairness Fights: What Every Parent of Teens Needs to Know

Ever feel like your kids are growing up in totally different households—even though they share the same last name and dinner table? Your oldest follows all the rules, your middle child avoids conflict like it’s their full-time job, and your youngest? Total chaos with a side of charm.

In this episode, Dr. Cam sits down with Dr. Kelly Jameson, a therapist, speaker, and expert on birth order psychology and sibling dynamics, to decode what’s really going on behind your kids’ clashing personalities—and what to do when fairness feels impossible. If you’ve ever second-guessed how you parent each child (spoiler: you're not imagining it), this episode is packed with eye-opening truths and practical solutions.

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• How birth order shapes your teen’s personality and behavior
• Why sibling rivalry is normal—and how to handle it without picking sides
• What “fair” parenting really looks like (and why it’s not the same for every child)
• How to parent your firstborn, middle, and youngest without losing your mind

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR PARENTS OF TEENS

1. Birth order isn’t just theory—it deeply influences how each child behaves, connects, and competes
2. Sibling rivalry often stems from a fight for limited parental attention—not bad behavior
3. Fairness in parenting means meeting each child where they are developmentally, not treating them identically
4. Older siblings shouldn’t be forced to parent younger ones—it breeds resentment, not responsibility
5. Creating rituals, one-on-one time, and shared experiences helps reduce tension and build sibling bonds

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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Dr. Kelly Jameson’s Website

 

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Dr. Kelly Jameson

Website: drkellyjameson.com Instagram: @drkellyjameson

 

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

Website: AskDrCam.com Instagram: @DrCamCaswell YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Facebook: @DrCamCaswell

 

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

00:00 Understanding Birth Order Dynamics 06:11 Sibling Rivalry and Parental Attention 08:47 Navigating Fairness in Parenting 12:38 Intervening in Sibling Conflicts 18:05 Supporting Siblings Through Challenges 20:39 The Dynamics of Sibling Relationships 24:49 Navigating Sibling Rivalry and Conflict 29:36 Understanding Birth Order and Its Impact 32:35 Tailoring Parenting Strategies by Birth Order 39:45 Key Takeaways for Parents

  ABOUT THE SHOW

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable ti