sibiling fighting

[emilys_mom1]

How do you keep the kids from fighting. I have a 6,4, and 2yr old. The 6 and 4yr old are always fighting. I so want them to be close sisters and not fight so much.

How do you handle when the kids fight or are mean to each other?

[canadiangranola]

Not much advice here, althoigh I am starting to read "siblings without rivalry" and it looks like it might be helpful.

I try to let it go a bit, unless someone is being physically hurt, I try to let them figure it out. My expectations/hopes for my kids relationships with one another are my hopes, not theirs, you know? I don't need to burden them with my desires for what their relationship "should" be.

That said, the constant fighting drives me nuts

[damona]

my kids fight endlessly. there are days i feel like i'm in a circus... and i don't think i'm the ringmaster!

i generally let them sort it out for themselves, although there are times i just can't deal with it and i step in and make an executive decision. but then they usually just find something else to snark at each other about.

anything involving physical harm is swiftly dealt with.for example: ds#2, moose, went thru a period of choking his brothers, wrapping his arm around their neck. that always resulted in an immediate trip to his room and a good 15 min to think about why that was not acceptable. it finally sank in that that was NOT going to be tolerated and he has almost stopped doing it now.

good luck! i'm pretty sure things will settle down eventually, at least for awhile!