Help Kids Work It Out
There is nothing more exhausting than playing referee between your children. So instead of hearing both sides and passing judgment, Cassatly suggests letting your children work it out independently.
With younger children, give them some tools to help them solve problems. Offer a suggestion such as “You could take turns with the toy, or you could play with it together. Which do you think would work better?” You can also have some house rules, such as what happens if a child hits, or what happens if two children want the same object.
As much as possible, though, keep emotion out of the picture when it comes to resolving fights. Instead, focus on the positive.
“Remind kids about the importance of siblings sticking together,” Cassatly says. “And realize that they do ultimately care about each other. Praise them when they do something nice to each other, when they act mature or when they look out for each other.”
In time, you’ll see your children working out their differences, helping each other out, and growing closer together.
