Sibs Playing Together

Does she really get hurt, hurt? Or just a bump hear or there. My son is 13 (120 lbs) and daughters are 8 & 6. They play together all the time and end of knocking each other around. My littlest one will cry and say she got hurt but 5 minutes later she is back playing with them. I think rough play is a part of childhood and you shouldn't discouarage it all together. Alot of girls like to climb, run and jump too. I think your daughter just may still be a little young yet for this kind of play. So you may need to supervise more for a couple years. Also maybe come up with a safer but active activity.

I wouldn't discourage the play. Give him boundaries and guidelines for their rough play. That's not to say that he/they will always remember and you'll need to remind them, a lot. That's what our job is as daunting and frustrating as it may be.

My kids are almost the same ages (almost 4 and almost 2) and while I wouldn't say they play great, they do play together a lot. Luckily for me my son is only about 10 pounds heavier then her and she is pretty tough but I am CONSTANTLY trying to get them to stop rough housing.

I think I finally had a breakthrough last night. I just explained to him how he is bigger then her, and if he jumps on her she would get hurt. Just like mommy can't jump on him because I am too big he can't jump on her. I also asked him if he wanted his sister to miss Christmas because she was in the hospital *harsh I know) and that really worked.

We have always had two rules in our house which helps protect her as well. Nothing above the shoulders/head. He can't touch her neck, head, ears anything. And anytime she gets hurt (and vice versa) he has to hug her, kiss her and say I am sorry I______ fill in whatever he did. He hates doing it and I think that helps the most!

Good luck!

I went to this great parenting class at Musikgarten called Endzone and the teacher reminded us that "this is for now not forever" It seems likely that you will have to supervise them for another year or so and then this issue will resolve itself as your daughter will be bigger and more in control. But you should certainly explain to your son that he needs to be careful but he is still pretty young for much self control. It is great they play together - so many don't. Enjoy their interactions - all too soon you won't be nearly as closely involved and you will likely miss that.

My boys wrestle a lot (ages 3 & 4). It's actually good for them as our 3 year old's OT pointed out... for that physical work they need, but otherwise don't have THAT much opportunity to do. We also have the stay away from the head rule, talking about how we are playing and we want NO OWIES because NOBODY likes to get owies. :) They use those pillow boxing gloves sometimes for kids (like sockem boppers) or do pillow fights and we don't have injuries often that way so long as they remember to stay away from the head. Also playing together in the snow, which their snow suits pad them...again the stay away from the head rule in terms of no snow in the faces. :) Hope this helps for a couple more ideas. :) I used to not allow them to stand and kneel on each other and such, but it's hard to argue with both of them laughing so hard with it. Thankfully no big injuries here yet (knock on wood).

All you can do is to stay on top of them constantly. When they do playdough, do it in the kitchen where you can be doing dishes so they don't know you're watching but he'll end to behave more with you in the room with them. Try not to tell him "be careful" and such things. He's probably heard it enough and he'll feel she's getting more attention than him. Continue to show him love and guidance and to never lay a hand on anyone, let alone girls. Happy holidays mommy.

We have this problem! My kids are 19 mos appart and really there is only a 8-10lb difference but our son is always "crashing" into our daughter. He likes the Cars movie and calls her Sally but then reinacts the race car scenes where they bump into each other. She is no Saint though and can be found tackling him too. But he will run full speed and just body check her when she isn't looking. They too have a great relationship which I am so glad for because it has happened very naturally with little effort on my part. But sometimes I just have to have him sit down and take a break (timeout but we don't call it that) just a reminder to keep his body undercontrol. I have to change the activity they are playing when it gets out of control and I do have to hover some days. It is part of his age I think and for us being stuck inside now that we can't go to the park doesn't help. Also we got him into a tumbling class so he can get the energy out. Good luck!