What do you do with bickering siblings?

[parrotonmyshoulder]

When they play nicely for 20 minutes or so, then launch into ‘he took my...’, ‘she hit me...’ ‘he bit me...’ etc, when you can’t possibly have seen it and have no idea who is at fault?
Top tips for maintaining sanity please?

I’m thinking about creating a rota that means they can’t be in the same room at the same time...ever...

I sit them both down together and give them each the chance to explain their side of the story. That way I usually work out they were both at fault and tell them what they should do differently.

It’s intense but it works. And now they don’t bicker as much unlesss they’re in bad moods and they know I’ll listen to them both.

How old are they?

I tell them to shut up and deal with It themselves or I'll take away all electricals (Xbox, ipod)
If they don't I take away all electricals and send them to sulk in their own rooms for a bit where the din of them moaning at each other isn't quite as annoying.
They're 9 and 10 and actually get on pretty well most of the time.

Telling them to shut up sounds much quicker than sitting down and listening to both sides.

This is semi light hearted, by the way. They will spend most of the day ganging up on me and being the best of friends.

Telling mine to shut up backfires on me because I also tell them not to be rude and use such phrases 🤣

Sometimes I get annoyed and just tell them to stop it and go to separate rooms. I’m not always so patient but it has more long term benefits (I have siblings so remember mum not listening and taking sides 😬😬)

I try not to listen to both sides.

If I haven't seen what went on, then I can't comment on who was right or wrong. I'm not a detective...I'm not prepared to take statements and sift through evidence...just stop arguing please!

Leave them to it, unless serious injury has happened. Or an insult has gone to far. They learn conflict resolution quicker if left on their own.