SC fighting- is this normal?

[Banhaha]

My oldest SC slapped the youngest one during an argument. OH told them to apologise and told me it was what kids do. Is it? I feel powerless to do anything about it. If I slapped OH I'd be accused of assault! I think we should tell their mum what happened in case it's a pattern. Am I over reacting? I do feel quite protective of the little one as she's often picked on.

[pikapikachu]

What age are the kids? It's not uncommon for siblings to get physical with each other- especially if they are young.

[Bluerussian]

Siblings do fight sometimes. They do need to be told not to but it happens.

[Banhaha]

11 nearly 12 and 14.

Thanks for the reassurance. It's hard without much experience to know if it's normal or not!

[MysweetAudrina]

My ds broke his sisters arm fighting. He is 10 and she is 11. While I would hope that isn't normal there is now a zero tolerance to anything physical between them. A broken bone is definitely a line crossed.

[ThisMustBeMyDream]

Yes. It's unfortunately normal. Sibling rivalry is a massive thing. 😔

[MapleDragon]

I'd not be impressed by a 14 year old who slapped a younger sibling but it still isn't the same as assault by an adult. I'd be having a clear conversation about expectations and consequences.

[Wallywobbles]

No physical violence should go unchecked. They should have grown out of it by now.

[smallereveryday]

My DSC battered each other constantly from age 4-16. Drive me fucking nuts. Especially as my own dc had never laid a finger on each other. So I had no experience to fall back on.

I left it to DH to sort !

[BrienneofTarthILoveYou]

I don't think at 14 it's normal at all, so I wouldn't stand for it in my house. Shocking behaviour.

[SnuggyBuggy]

By 14 I'd expect them to be growing out of it

[5inabed]

I don’t think it is normal. My children never physically fight its completely unacceptable in our house for anyone to raise their hand to anyone else.