Help!! - Westbrook,ME

Hi K ari
I have 2 sons ages 7 months and 11 yrs old. i was wonderring have you tried separating them and or take away some of their favorite things as a result of the fighting. I grew up woth 5 sisters i am am twin and we are the youngest and i know what it is lie fighting with your sisters. wes till ahve our disagreements even at 30 yrs of age. the olsdtes is 45 we are the youngest 30. i don't know what to tell you about the fighting but hope you have tried some of these ideas. good luck and thank god spring is right around the corner.

Hi K.. It's good to know that it's not just my kids who seem to fight and be mean to each other all the time!

When my older 2 get into a bickering spell, They loose the privilege of certain tv shows and games. They are only allowed to watch educational tv and play educational games. I've noticed that they tend to play what they watch and if they are watching more "social-skill-building" or non-violent shows (such as "A Baby Story" on Discovery)and playing non-competivive games such as Big Brain Academy or Nintendogs, they are more calm and play better together.

I've also noticed that when they are together too much, without a break from each other, or are trapped inside due to weather, they get restless and irritable with each other. Sometimes, the only thing I can do is separete them and have them play by themselves and they learn to get along out of bordem of playing by alone.

We also started something that eliminated a lot of arguments. Rach was born on an odd month and Tyler an even month. So on odd days, it's Rachael's day, and even day's, it's Tyler's. Their days determine who can finish off the cereal, which tv show to watch, who gets to sit next to the baby in the van, which movie to rent, etc. Anything that they once bickered about is now settled by whose day it is. And they both know it, so they don't argue about it. (on months when there are 31 days, the 31st is "share day" and they need to compromise or I get to choose)

Just some suggestions. The last one I took from a Parenting magazine article. I wish I could take credit for that one.

Good Luck,
J.

Sounds like my two boys. I have been trying new things with my boys. My kids concelor told me a few things to try. You could also try this with your girls. If they start fighting yelling,screaming and hitting each other, break them up bring them in the living room with tv off, and make them hold hands and tell them everytime they can't get along this is what's going to happen.I have tryed that with my boys and my 7yr old hated it he cryied. Of course You will have to be there, and it will be up to you as how long they should hold hands. One key is to stick with it and have patience. I know it's hard, because My boys fight I want just run away to a far a way land. LOL(Laughing out Loud). I hope this works. It helped me a little bit, but I just need to stick with it.
H.

K.~
I'm reading this going "yes I totally understand that" lol I have 3 boys Nick (8), Thomas (5) and Charlie (10 months) so as you can see our kids are the same ages just I have boys and you have girls. lol My two oldest are the exact same way. Oh there are times when they get along but lately there has been more fighting. Tommy's preschool teacher thinks part of it is the "middle" child thing. Not sure if I agree with that or not. But I have been trying to get them to stop fighting. HA! So much easier said then done right? If they are both playing with there baby brother they eventually start fighting over him at that point they are seperated. I've even had them try and work it out themselves...oh that did not work. lol I also think a big part of it is winter....being cooped up in the house. Luckily though spring is just around the corner then they can go out and run off all that pent up energy. My boys always seem to get along better in the warmer months and when doing thing as a whole family. Not that any of this helps..lol just wanted to let you know you're not alone. Hopefully someone will have an answer. I will be checking back for one...lol

T.