Fighting, Fighting, FIGHTING!! I'm so sick of it!

[nikirj]

My 3 year old and almost-5-year-old aren't getting along too well lately. Not at all. It seems like I'm breaking up fights all day. And not just "did so" "did not" fights - full-on punch-throwing, hitting, kicking hatefests. As I'm typing, DS (the 3yo) punched DD (the 5yo) because...she was chewing too loud.

I'm sick, sick, sick of this fighting! It is driving me BATTY! And with a new baby, I can't be right there to break everything up - and I've been yelling a LOT ("Let go of your sister RIGHT NOW!!!" "STOP kicking your brother!!" "now WHY did you do THAT!?!"). I even cracked yesterday and screamed, and I mean SCREAMED, "DON'T HURT YOUR SISTER ANYMORE!!!!!" at DS. But really DD is just as guilty.

WHAT on earth do I do about this? I mean, if they're together, they're fighting. It isn't even about anything, really - it is incompatible personalities. But I really need them to at least be CIVIL to each other. There 3 and 5 for cryin' out loud, it is only going to get worse...

[warriorprincess]

I wish I had a real answer...when that happens I seperate mine for a while.

[charmarty]

mama

It happens like that alot in my house.
It seems to be a pattern I have uncovered.
WHen tey are tired, hungry, or an illness is coming on/already here.
A shift or change in routien.



WHat dh and I ususally do (h eworks alot) but when he is home, we make it a point o spend some good one on one time with each child individually.
Ususaaly after thes, they are back to playing as wonderfully as they usually do.

I hope things get better soon.

[Alkenny]

My older two were always that way...they are STILL that way, and they're going to be 12 and 10 this year. I wish I had more advice for you, but I think space is the biggest thing (we lack it here, but I find they don't fight as much in the summer when they can go out and play and be with friends etc). I think it's just the personality conflicts too. We all want our kids to be happy and love each other, but realistically? You can't force it.