Brothers - I am expecting too much - constant fighting

[upthehill]

They are just turned 3 and just turned 5. Preshool finishes at 11.30am and I have them both from then onwards.

Am I expecting too much to expect that they should be able to play together without me having to be the constant referee? The 3 year old can be a bit of a bullly and I can understand why he pisses his brother off sometime.

They only time I get any peace is when they are watching the tv.

The constant fighting and bickering is doing my head in. If I go and hang the washing out for instance, I can pretty much guarentee that within a minute someone will be wailing.

Obviously, if one does something really naughty like hurting and hitting, they sit on the step, but it is difficult to know what to do for the general whinning and annoyance with each other.

Much better when we are out and about but sometimes you just need to be at home to get things done.

They are pretty much stuck with each other - new to the area so not too many friends yet. Can anyone recommend how we get through this - dreading the holidays and summer is looming too!

There is an interesting article in the Times today (pg 5 I think) that shows that sibling rivalry is a good thing and helps increase social skills and conflict resolution.

Great! at the expense of their mother's sanity!

I feel so done in with it all today - by the end of the week I have truely had enough of all the fighting and bickering.

At least at the weekend their Dad is about and they are less demanding of me (which is part of the problem).

My two are similar ages (just turned 6 and 3) and things are starting to get better. The main problem is ds2 always wants what ds1 has , so fights start. I think the sunny weather has helped as they can play in the garden, but I think the improvements started when ds1 started school . ihad more time at home with ds2, so when ds1 came home the younger brother seemed lees desperate to wind his sibling up. Of course they have good days and bad days, but they do actually play together now!! I remember feeling how you are, and can only say it does get better