Sibling fights

[Boymama2021]

Hi all
I’m mum to 7 and 4 year old boys, they have always had a bit of a love hate relationship

The biggest issue I have is the mornings, the youngest one always sneaks into his brothers bedroom very early hours thus waking him up and from then on a big fight or argument ensues. I’ve tried reward charts for the youngest, time outs, got him a clock (he had a grow clock but worked out how to activate the sun!). This has been going on for about 6 months. I set my alarm for 5.30/6 to try and beat my youngest to it abs stop him before he goes in - but he’s often snuck in first!
My eldest has asked him repeatedly to stop doing it but he’s totally fed up now and cross at me too for what he feels is me allowing it to happen I guess. But I am at a loss what to try next

It’s very stressful to wake up to as almost everyday I open my eyes I hear “go away” “leave me alone” at top of eldests voice which then the youngest will always scream extremely loud back and fighting begins - or sometimes just straight into hitting and smacking each other

They’ve become very aggressive in this time physically and verbally to each other and I’ve no idea how to stop it. I model calm behaviour back to them explain how to deal with their feelings without unkind words and actions and we talk lots about emotions (my eldest gets support at school for handling his emotions too as this is something he struggles with at times n the youngest has picked up on the outbursts I think)

Anyway sorry for such a long entry

Any advice appreciated

That sounds difficult.

What time does the 4 year old go to bed? Maybe it needs to be later.

Does he have black out curtains or is the sun waking him up?

Could the grow clock be placed somewhere higher up so that he can see it but not touch it?

Could you tell your older one to wake you up when the younger one wakes him up and then you can send the younger one to the naughty step or similar?

Thank you for replying

He goes to bed at 7.30pm he’s up at around 5.30/6am every day 🥴 I’ve tried different bedtimes but doesn’t seem to make much of a difference unfortunately

I also tried the gro clock up high but he’s a climber

Black out curtains and a blackout blind too

I’m going to keep trying to talk to my eldest as I have asked him before to come tell me as soon as little one goes in 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Move the handle of the door too high for the little one.
Mr df did that once by accident They thought dbro was quiet, actually he couldn't get out.

I’m going to keep trying to talk to my eldest as I have asked him before to come tell me as soon as little one goes in
That isn't a fair reaction. If he doesn't want to be disturbed at that time, then getting up to tell you is still disturbing him, and you're putting the onus on him to do something about it.

Put a stair gate on your four year old’s door, or put a cabin hook on the inside of your seven year old’s door (at a height where he can lock/unlock himself)?