To always be stressed by my boys fighting

[Mcemmabell]

I have two lovely boys ages 4.5 and 2. I love playing board games with my big boy, reading to him, having chats, him showing me his lego. With little it's so much fun to watch him play with his cars, read him books, take him walks to see the ducks. But oh my goodness when I'm on my own with both of them. I swear they just fight and argue and hurt each other.

The youngest is generally the instigator. Whatever toy DS1 has, he will try to grab, scream and cry if he can't get it, then he'll push or bite DS1 until he can get the toy. He has broken the skin with his bites. I'll always give him a time out when he hurts DS1 but he'll be back hurting him five minutes later. DS2 could go upstairs to play with his lego but I feel bad sending him up there when he wants to play with the toys downstairs - and when he's technically done nothing wrong.

DS2 also pushes at nursery at the moment, although he doesn't bite there thankfully. He's a lot more heavy handed them DS1 was at that age, but then again DS1 didn't have a brother to attack.

Am I unreasonable to be stressed out by this behaviour all the time? I'm alone with the kids 3 days a week, work 3 days, and have DH around for one day. DH always gets home after dinner (inflexible working hours) so I also have the joy of trying to cook dinner while I hear screams from the other room. Has anyone been through similar and can reassure me that it gets better? Any tips or coping strategies? I'm really not enjoying my time alone with the boys right now.

Mine are 3 and 6 and I've been having the same issue since the second one could walk. They both have so much energy that they turn it into fighting each other. Pushing each other over, throwing toys, hitting (although we've never had biting) and also recently my 6yo has discovered how to pinch his brother which is not fun. A lot is just playfighting for me but if it turns nasty I separate them. I put one in the playroom and usually my 3yo comes into the kitchen with me and brings a few toys. I don't let them play together and then when they can both return to the playroom together they are threatened with being removed if they fight again. What usually works is letting them work off their energy outside. We usually head out for a 1hr dog walk after school to let them run around although I appreaciate we can only do this as we live rurally and I don't work.

I don't think they'll ever grow out of it. I have 4 older brothers and can remember them constantly fighting even in their teens. I don't think they stopped until they became adults but we all boarded at school so didn't spend too much time all together apart from holidays. As long as it's not malicious I think it's probably natural for boys!