YOUR QUESTION. A CLEARER NEXT STEP.
Is it normal to feel upset or jealous sometimes?
It is completely normal for brothers and sisters to feel upset or jealous sometimes, especially when a sibling needs extra help and attention. These feelings are okay, and the most helpful thing is to share them with a trusted grown-up. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
In this answer 5 sections
Feeling upset or jealous sometimes doesn't make you a bad brother or sister — it makes you human.
In short
Yes — it is completely normal to feel upset, cross, or jealous sometimes. Lots of brothers and sisters feel this way, especially when it seems like your sibling gets extra time, help, or attention. These feelings are okay. What matters is that you have someone safe to share them with, so the feelings don't get stuck inside.
Why these feelings happen
When your brother or sister needs more help with talking, learning, or everyday things, grown-ups often spend lots of time with them. That can leave you feeling:
- Left out — like nobody noticed you today.
- Jealous — wishing some of that attention was for you.
- Cross or guilty — angry one minute, then feeling bad for being angry.
- Worried — about your sibling, or about getting it "wrong".
Every one of these feelings is allowed. You can love your sibling and feel upset on the same day. Both can be true at once.
What can help
- Tell someone you trust — a parent, grandparent, or teacher. Saying "I felt left out today" helps more than keeping it inside.
- Ask for your own special time — even ten minutes that is just yours with a grown-up makes a big difference.
- Find your own thing — a hobby, a sport, a friend, a quiet corner — something that is yours.
- Remember it's not your job to fix everything. You are the brother or sister, not the carer.
The Pinnacle way
This is general support information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Your family is never alone in this: explore how we support the whole family , learn what your sibling's therapy looks like so it feels less mysterious, and read about how progress is understood.
Trusted sources
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) guidance on supporting siblings of children with developmental needs; WHO Nurturing Care Framework on family wellbeing within child development.
Next step — If these feelings feel heavy a lot of the time, tell a grown-up — and families can talk to a Pinnacle clinician about support for everyone at home.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Notice if upset or jealous feelings stay heavy most days, if you stop enjoying things you used to like, or if you feel you have to keep your feelings hidden — these are signs it's time to tell a trusted grown-up.
In everyday life
When a big feeling comes, name it out loud to someone you trust — 'I felt left out today' — instead of keeping it inside.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
Is it bad to feel jealous of my brother or sister?
No, it isn't bad at all. Feeling jealous sometimes is normal and very common for brothers and sisters. You can love your sibling and still feel jealous on the same day — both feelings are allowed.
What should I do when I feel upset?
Tell someone you trust, like a parent, grandparent, or teacher. Saying how you feel out loud helps the feeling get lighter. You can also ask for some special time that is just for you.
Why does my sibling get more attention?
When a brother or sister needs extra help with things like talking or learning, grown-ups often spend more time helping them. It doesn't mean you matter less — it's okay to ask for your own special time too.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren.org — supporting siblings
- Organisation website · further readingWHO Nurturing Care Framework — family wellbeing
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
PEOPLE, TOPICS & DEVELOPMENT
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FROM UNDERSTANDING TO PURPOSEFUL SUPPORT
One question. Your child’s whole life.
Your child’s self-sufficient, mainstream-included life is the purpose from the beginning. At Pinnacle, that purpose shapes what we understand, the goals we choose, the people we bring together, everyday practice and review.
Connect this question with the right support.
Start with your child’s strengths, your observations and what you want everyday life to become.
Make the next conversation useful.
Bring the situations you notice at home or school. We’ll explain a suitable service, centre and first visit, including availability and fees, before you decide.
How PinnacleAI® connects the journeyExplore the seven stages
- 1Understand abilities
A starting picture of your child’s capabilities.
- 2Choose meaningful goals
Readiness and a plan shaped around the child.
- 3Bring the right support together
Suitable therapies and people for those goals.
- 4Carry practice into everyday life
Guidance for family, home and school.
- 5Track and correct
Use observations to adjust the plan.
- 6Reassess and review
Decide what to continue, change or do next.
- 7Grow independence and participation
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General information supports a conversation with an appropriately qualified professional. Advice, goals and support depend on the individual child.