At Just Support, we understand that fostering positive sibling relationships can be both rewarding and challenging. Shared experiences provide opportunities for connection, teamwork, and learning to navigate emotions together. Today’s adventure was all about bringing two siblings together for a fun day out, encouraging cooperation, communication, and social bonding.
With two support staff ensuring a structured yet flexible approach, the goal was to create an experience that felt fun, engaging, and positive for both siblings, while also supporting emotional regulation when challenges arose.
Setting Off: The Journey Begins
The day started with a road trip to the theme park, with both siblings and their support staff in one car.
🚗 Car rides can set the tone for the day, and while traffic made the trip longer, conversation flowed as we discussed the plan and what rides everyone was excited for.
Arriving by 10:45 AM, the group was ready for a day of laughter, challenges, and shared experiences.
Exploring & Encouraging Independence
With a plan in place to meet for lunch at 12:30 PM, we divided into pairs to allow for independent choices while keeping the structure of a shared day out.
🎢 Siblings Explore at Their Own Pace – While one sibling jumped straight into the action, the other preferred a slower start, walking through the shops before building up to the first ride.
🎟️ Trying New Things Together – As the morning progressed, both siblings had moments of shared enjoyment, even if their preferred activities were different. This flexibility ensured they could spend time together without forcing interactions, keeping things natural and enjoyable.
Regrouping & Bonding Over Lunch
By 12:30 PM, the group came back together for a shared lunch break.
✅ Providing a structured break helped prevent overstimulation
✅ Gave space for casual conversation and connection
✅ Encouraged both siblings to share their experiences so far
After eating, the group stored their gear in lockers and headed back out together to enjoy some rides as a team.
🍦 Ice Cream & Shared Moments – A fun treat in the afternoon was a great way to reinforce a positive shared experience, helping both siblings associate spending time together with enjoyable moments.
Recognising Overwhelm & Supporting Emotional Regulation
As the day continued, it became clear that one sibling was starting to feel overwhelmed by the crowds and sensory input.
Rather than pushing through, our team:
🌿 Took a break in a quiet, shaded area
👀 Engaged in people-watching as a grounding activity
💬 Gave space for emotional regulation before rejoining the group
This moment was important—not only for helping with self-regulation, but also for reinforcing that it’s okay to take breaks when needed.
The Ride Home: Navigating Conflict & Emotional Awareness
As the group made their way home, fatigue and lingering emotions surfaced, leading to an argument between the siblings in the back seat.
🎭 Recognising the cause – Our staff quickly identified that both siblings had missed their medication, which likely contributed to heightened emotions.
🚗 A calm approach – Rather than escalating the situation, we:
✔️ Pulled over safely to ensure medication was taken
✔️ Used calming techniques to diffuse tension
✔️ Encouraged quiet reflection rather than forced conversation
While things settled for most of the trip, there was another small flare-up just before arriving home—a reminder that progress isn’t always linear, and sibling relationships take time to strengthen.
By the time they arrived home, both were ready to share the highlights of their day with their mum, reflecting on the fun moments rather than the challenges.
Reflections & Looking Ahead
This outing was an important step in:
✔️ Encouraging positive sibling interactions in a fun, neutral environment
✔️ Supporting social engagement while managing emotions
✔️ Recognising when regulation strategies are needed
✔️ Providing structured opportunities for connection
For future outings, we can:
➡️ Ensure medication routines are followed to prevent emotional dysregulation
➡️ Plan more structured shared activities to encourage teamwork
➡️ Balance time together with independent choices to avoid forced interactions
➡️ Use more grounding breaks throughout the day to prevent sensory overwhelm
While there were some challenges, this was a step forward in fostering a stronger sibling connection. Progress takes time, but every shared experience is a building block toward better understanding and communication.
Looking for Support?
At Just Support, we help young people build confidence, social skills, and positive relationships—whether with friends, family, or the wider community.
📩 Reach out today to learn how we can support your journey!
