To want to have a bath and wash my hair without world war 3 breaking out?

[toothfairy73]

Every time I leave my children by themselves (to use the toilet, or to have a bath or wash my hair) all hell breaks loose and they start arguing.

Is it too much to ask for me just to be able to use the bathroom without the risk of world war 3?

I have 2 DD, 11 and 5. I am starting to dread weekends. It always ends in them arguing. I know siblings fight (I did with my sister) but this is ridiculous.

It's not too much to ask but asking won't make it happen

Do they have separate bedrooms?
Can you send them off to their own rooms and tell them stay in them?

Just let them get on with it unless it gets physical?

Mine are close in age and argue like cat and dog!!

Hmm 11 year old should know better.

Yep, 11 year old SHOULD know better. No they have to share a room and where we live is quite cramped which doesn't help.

One in the bedroom, one in the living room while you're in the bathroom? Not that you should have to do that because YANBU.

When I went into the bathroom this is how it was, 11 DD in bedroom and 5DD in lounge. 11 year old came in and turned the tv over. She said it was her turn to watch tv. The younger one had finished watching a film and started something else. I pointed out we have TWO TVs, both with access to the same channels, but the older one continued to push it and the ripped up a belonging on the 5 year old. I am angry and disappointed in her. It's just spiteful. And she is old enough to know better. The result was no TV for either of them and to tidy their room. Now instead of tidying their room the older one is reading the younger one a story while she draws. So they CAN get on (but just not do what I've asked them to do)...

Why are you not making the 11 yr old do what you asked?

So you punished the 5yo for her sister bullying her and ripping up her belongings?

Yes I'm also wondering why the 11 year old wasn't punished.
"Instead of tidying their room..." erm...why is there an instead? I thought you said tidy their rooms?

I am doing my best to make my 11 year old daughter so what I've asked. She is very strong willed.

I am punishing both of them because they were both to blame. The younger one also did things to wind the older one up.

And they were doing those things instead, in the room they were meant to be tidying. I gave them some space to get on with it and discovered it when I went in to check

And the 11 year old was made to replace the thing she had destroyed