I have a 4.5 year old and a 2 year old. Please tell me it gets better..

[gribbit]

I can't believe what a hard time I am having lately.. I have two girls and it seems like they are constantly at each other's throats.. I have to say it is mostly the 2 year old taking things away from her sister or hitting her . Her sister then responds by screaming at the top of her lungs or doing other such things. I feel like my whole day consists of being a mediator between the two of them without one moment of peace. I have to turn on a tv show every once in a while just to get a break, but I hate that I have to do that.. We try to get out of the house as much as possible which is also not easy, but I am beginning to dread staying home with them.. Is having a 2 and 4 year old really hard or is it just me? Please tell me how long before happy times are here again..

[thepeach80]

I wish I could say it gets better, but we're still there. AJ is 5.5, Evan is 4, and Ilana is 2! They are the best of friends and the worst of enemies and now we're having another! lol I'm hoping once everyone gets more in touch w/ their feelings and we sort out the 'this is how we behave if we are angry' etc it'll get better. Just now, I heard Evan yell from their bedroom 'you're not my best friend!'. That's a popular one lately. It's also a lot harder in winter. I HATE winter so I try not to go out, but the kids need to get out and thankfully AJ goes to school during the day (one more week and Christmas break is over!) and Evan and Ilana are nicer to each other, maybe b/c they're opposite genders? It's o.k., it IS hard, and it WILL get better, at least I think. My DH and his brother are 15 mos apart and don't act like this, so it has to get better eventually. hahaha HUGS!

[nuttinhny]

It gets better, then it gets worse again, then it gets better. My girls are 18 & 21 and they have finally stopped all the bickering back and forth! There will be times they will be each others best friend, and other times like yours are now. It's been so long since mine were that age I can't remember enough to give you advice on how to deal with it though. Just hang tough, it really is all worth it!

[phathui5]

It can definately get better! My children get along pretty well right now, though I have the most trouble with the middle two.

I wanted to recommend reading Siblings Without Rivalry to help you deal with sibling conflicts.

[gribbit]

Thanks everyone! I know everything comes and goes.. It just seems that for the first time I am really worn out by the two of them.. I do think winter has a lot to do with it.. We just can't spend that much time outside and its driving all of us batty..I am hoping things will get better when the 2 year old get older and I can reason with her better.. Thanks you all for the kind words, it really is helpful to hear from other moms that have been or still are in my shoes..

[AngelBee]

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[Drummer's Wife]

yes, having a 2 and 4 yr old can be hard! There was a recent thread about it here, actually. My kids are all 2 yrs apart and I have noticed that the dynamics between those two ages can be a challenging one. It does get better, though. Hang in there and I think as your girls get older the gap between their interests, communication level, etc will get smaller and they will get along a bit better.

[Surfacing]

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[SquishyBuggles]

I feel you! I've also got a 4.5 year old and a 2 year old. They fight a lot, but they are also each other's best friends.