Arguing children

[mommmmyof2]

Help!! my 5 year old and two year old argue like cat an dog, i am so sick of it and they draw attention to themselves where ever they go. I no all children argue, but i find myself telling my eldest child off more just to keep the peace! i no that it is not fair, i have tried naughty step for my youngest but he laughs. He does seem to try and annoy her. It is just so hard

My 3 (aged 5, 3 and 1) all go through non stop arguing periods, it drives me insane. The absolute best thing you can do is to try to take as little notice as possible unless one is physically hurting the other - and even then whilst telling off for any hitting or kicking etc, try not to get too drawn into the 'she started it' hell. Interestingly I find the less I intervene the less mine argue - they are often vying for my attention or trying to get me on their side to the detriment of the other so I really try not to let myself get drawn into that (v hard to do sometimes).

I think naughty step is probably too much for a 2 yr old. Best maybe just to remove him from trouble and keep him with you and away from his sister for a bit.

Generally if they are fighting over a toy my standard response is to remove it altogether and a threat to do so will usually stop the argument.

Try not to take the little one's side too often - I'd say I fell into that trap with DD1 and DD2, and DD2 has turned into a right little wailer who constantly expects to get exactly what she wants as soon as she starts crying. I also see much more clearly now with DS (who is 14 months) that he really does do a lot of things that legitimately drive his sisters mad!! E.g. he and DD2 both have muslins as comfort objects (different colours) but it doesn't matter how many of his own ones he has he will still go out of his way to steal DD2's the minute she's not looking!! And she gets angry obviously! When DD2 was small I think I used to try and make her older sister accomodate her more that was really fair - I hope I am a bit more even handed this time around. It's really tough though.

If it's any consolation my brother and I (he's 15 months older then me) fought like cat and dog when we were kids (he used to wind me up for fun until I was a screaming kicking biting little ball of fury), but at the same time we absolutely adored each other, had unbelievably fun times together and would do anything for each other. We are still unbelievably close - so violent fighting between siblings doesn't necessarily indicate a problem. I try and keep that in mind with my lot......

thank you that makes me feel better, sometimes you think you are the only on in the world where you have children like it. Especially when they draw attention to themselves when out and about.

I do try so hard to ignore them but they get so loud. My little one always wants what my eldest has, it gets really silly at times. But i fought to with my sisters so i guesse it is normal. Must be a love hate relationship between them