Sibling competitiveness

The girls have always been really good with each other - play together really well, very sweet and loving towards each other. That's still pretty much the case, but now that DD2 is at kindy their competitiveness is getting a bit out of control. DD2 was counting this morning and was doing really well until she got stuck at 17. DD1 comes along and starts counting really quickly over the top of her and doesn't stop until she gets to 100. Then they go to swimming. Neither get a certificate but DD1 tells DD2 how well she swam. DD2 says she swam well too. DD1 says but she got to do diving. DD2 says . . . - you get the idea.

The one that really bothers me is they will literally argue over who looks the prettiest in a particular dress, with particular clips in their hair etc. I'm very careful to downplay prettiness as something to be proud of, focusing instead on good character traits etc so it really upsets me that they're going down this road. I'm so far from a girlie girl its not funny so I don't know where they're getting it from.

Is this just a stage triggered by them both now being at school and learning so much? Please tell me it is. I know competition is a way of life, but it makes me so sad to see them getting so upset and angry at each other of what is such a stupid thing.

I could have written your post, albeit without the pretty dress factor. It's "I can run faster than you", "I can count higher than you", etc etc. DS1 seems to take offence whenever we praise DS2 for something that he is able to do (obviously able, as he is a year older) and DS2 seems on a constant quest to outdo his older brother. It's a nightmare and I can't give you any tips for dealing with it as I have found none. Just know you're not alone :lol: