Sibling fighting - 5 year old whiner + 2 year old hair puller - what to do?

[djwflub]

My 2 are not getting along well! In most conflict situations (which usu arise because the older girl doesn't understand that a 2 year old boy's needs & behaviours are very different), the end result will be the older girl lying on the floor screaming the house down (literally) because the toddler has pulled her hair or something similar. I've told the toddler to stop, used time out etc but its really hard with him being only just 2 - not sure how much he's able to take in. I'm frustrated with the 5 year old because I tell her to stand up for herself & tell him "no!", or to stop it & move away if he becomes physical but instead, she just lies on the floor in hysterics! I'm at the point of ignoring it but having looked at the advice web pages I'm sure that's not the best thing to do! Any advice please? xxx

I would use the naughty step/corner, even though your son is only 2 he is old enough to understand that pulling hair etc is naughty and just put him there for the 2 mins. And I would ignore the hysterics from daughter she may just be trying to get your attention and at 5 is also old enough to know better! :-) Plus really praise any good behaviour and make a big fuss of them when they play nicely together, maybe even a star chart and every time they play nicely they get a star and at the end of the week a treat :-) x