Any suggestions to avoid a day of sinlimg squabbling?

[parrotonmyshoulder]

It’s the one thing absolutely guaranteed to drive me to shouting and raging.
9 and 6. Houseful of toys, colouring, craft etc.
Sometimes play nicely together but short lived and ends in disaster.

I’m on my own for most of today - will have to work when DH gets back in the afternoon.

Typing this out, I know what works really - if I time them for an hour of no squabbling, they get half an hour of playing WITH ME TOGETHER afterwards. They love this and I know it works. They co-operate or separate in between the mum time to an extent and then both get practice at playing together when they’re with me.

Not much point to this post now I’ve written that. But any additional ideas are welcome. I find weekends very wearing sometimes, especially as I have a lot of work myself to get through.

However, determined to have a non shouty day. Here goes...

Put some pieces of chocolate in a jar - anytime they squabble or about, you put a piece back in the box. At the end of the day they can share whatever is left in the jar.

I remember this working for me and siblings on a particularly rainy holiday in wales!

*shout not about

They would do anything for sweets. Even be nice to each other...I think!

Bloody hell, I love that chocolate in the jar idea! Fab, thanks!

Yeah it’s great, one of my parents more inspired ideas!

Put some pieces of chocolate in a jar - anytime they squabble or about, you put a piece back in the box. At the end of the day they can share whatever is left in the jar

Best idea ever! I'm totally doing this. My dc bicker constantly but they love chocolate...this could work!

Ooh, I’ll have to buy chocolate now!

As soon as they bicker, they have to do five minutes of chores. If they whinge, another 5 minutes gets added. If doing this or the chocolate thing, do make sure that they are equally incentivised by it and that one sibling doesn't dominate. You don't want the chocolate lover chore hater constantly conceding to keep the peace.

When I had DC I always said that I wouldn't stress if they fought, as no-one fought my than my DB and I, but we are extremely close as adults.

What I didn't realise was just how wearing the constant bickering is!

Sweets in a jar - brilliant idea!

What I didn't realise was just how wearing the constant bickering is!

It's hideous isn't it? I don't think anyone can imagine how wearing it is until they've experienced it!

I think the bickering preys on my mum-guilt too, that I don’t have enough time for them, spend lots of time at work etc. That makes me over-react.

Im considering locking one in the shed and the other under the stairs for the day

I think the bickering preys on my mum-guilt too, that I don’t have enough time for them, spend lots of time at work etc

I've been a sahm for a decade...they still fight like cat and dog!