Sibling Rage

[staceyflack]

How do people handle their children's anger? I have 2 girls 12 & 14. Their screaming matches are so extreme. I'm worried its going to get violent. Nothing I say makes any difference. All I can do is separate them. Unfortunately they share a room - & this won't be changing in the near future. They have been through a lot, with a shitty divorce 7 years ago. They are both having counselling. Any advice? Thanks.

No chance of converting your lounge to a bedroom to give them a room each?

Where would the lounge go?

More time apart? Could one of them use your room as a space to get away to? Not as a bedroom, just somewhere to use as their own when they have had enough of each other.

My dc have the same gap, and had/ have occasional short lived spats, very loudly at times but never remotely approaching violence, and I'd put quite a lot of money on space, rather than personality/ parenting being the deciding factor.

You would have to have a foldaway bed, be clever with your storage. Wouldn't be forever, once they launch into adult life you can move yourself back into a bedroom.

Take away phones as punishment for arguing. Or similar privileges.

Put up house rules which include no shouting or swearing at each other.

That's all I can think of!