Instead, come tell me right away.” Setting rules ahead of time helps too. Coach kids on how to respond when conflict starts: “If she hits you, please don’t hit her back. Let them know that while you know they can solve small disagreements alone, you’re always there for bigger issues. Then, you can lay the groundwork for more positive behavior. Figuring out the root cause helps you get ahead of conflict.
Maybe they always fight over toys, but the fights tend to happen when they’re looking for attention. Start by looking for patterns in your children’s conflicts. But if your children are constantly fighting, there are ways you can help keep the peace. It’s normal for siblings to annoy each other, and resolving conflict helps them practice important social skills. Even siblings who are best friends fight sometimes.
