How to Stop Sibling Fights: A Guide to Creating Harmony in Your Home
If you have multiple children, you’ve probably had to referee sibling fights on more than one occasion. And don’t worry - this is completely normal. The truth is, even the closest and best of siblings argue every now then.
But, with some insight and guidance we hope that we can help you to achieve more harmony in your home. When both you and your children learn how to work through conflicts, their bond as siblings - and for the family as a whole - will strengthen and grow.
To help solve their moments of conflict and friction, it is first important to understand why it is happening. Each fight can be started over something different - whose turn it is to play with a toy, or what cartoon to watch - but the root cause may be a larger problem.
It could be down to a personality difference, unresolved rivalry issues, jealousy, cries for attention, or differing temperaments. Whatever the cause, it’s important for parents to do what they can to try to solve these issues, so that they protect the relationship between siblings.
We put together 8 Super Solutions to help parents manage fighting between siblings.
- Teach children about positive conflict resolution. Teach your children to try and listen to their sibling and their point of view, instead of calling them names. The more they learn to do this, the more likely they’ll be in the right mindset to settle disagreements. Plus, when your child learns how to handle conflicts with their sibling it will help them grow into adults who are skilled at resolving differences in the future.
- Your family is a team. Explain to your children that every great team needs to work together to have a happy home. When sibling argue - they’re not just hurting themselves but also the entire team.
- Get involved. If the argument between your children takes a turn for the worse, do not be scared to intervene. Sit them down, and discuss what happened to cause the disagreement. It’s important that they realize aggression of any kind is not allowed in the home.
- Listen to both children. There are two sides to every story so make sure you hear both. It’s important that both children feel listened to without judgement. Often, a talk with mom or dad can solve the situation and make them feel much better.
- Aggression is non-negotiable. Make sure your children know that aggression of any kind - be it verbal or physical - will not be tolerated. Emphasize the importance of each child listening to the others point of view, and treating their sibling the way they’d like to be treated.
- Get to the root of the issue. Try to focus your child on the issue rather than their sibling. Focus their conversation to the problem and solution, instead of name-calling one another.
- Ask your children to come up with a solution. Encourage your children to try and see it from their siblings point of view, and to come up with a solution together that is fair for them both.
- Practice by example. Children are ALWAYS watching. If you are kind and respectful during an argument, then your children will learn how to do the same.
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