Not sure I can take it any more - for the last week my children just seem

[Twiglett]

to be winding each other up non-stop

and up to now they've played beautifully

and now they're jumping on top of each other, wanting what the others got

it is so difficult not to get fraught and screamy

they are both as bad as each other (6 and 3 years old)

I know I've been spoilt till now with their behaviour but is there any way to get them back to the pleasantly interacting children they are

or am I buggered from now on?

be patient, they are kids afterall so its a process of growing up, introduce some behaviour methods, naughty step etc, i find though these serve to break up the fight but to be honest nothing stops them from starting...its just nature sibling rivalry and competitiveness..

no I think you are buggered. so am I. I could have written this myself. Mine are almost 6 and almost 3. its just kicked in and I think its like an survival of the fittest thing. I have to buy everything EXACTLY THE SAME even down to the colour. even underpants. its ridiculous. ds1 doesn't even like noddy. ds2 had a melt down yesterday because ds1 had a cake with a red smartie on (his was green) FGS

Sorry, Twig, but if it's anything like me and my brother, this fighting will go on for about the next ... er ... thirty years?

I'm having the same issues, dss are 5 and 3 and I find it very difficult because as far as possible I don't want to intervene unless there is physical fighting, but at the same time I don't want to tolerate injustice.

The main problem is ds1's anger when he is told off, he always feels he has been wronged and cannot accept blame for anything.

Somteimes I just separate them and tell them to play in separate rooms but even then there is antagonism.

I have two dd, 7 & nearly 3. They are bickering with each other from the moment they see each other in the morning till we have to separate them at 7 for bed! There are times during the day when they get on beautifully but mostly it is all about being a referee. Sorry not good news!

Mine are just the same atm & it is driving me insane! They cannot be in the same room for more than 30 seconds before the squabbles start, followed by the wailing of one/both of them!

I remember fighting with my sister until we were teens, so I have a feeling we may be buggered!!

now the ballerina is tickling the sylvester cat's tummy and peace reigns

(not telling you which one is which though)

but it won't last

My patent theory is that the minute you feel pissed off enough with your children to post, they miraculously and spontaneously improve.

LOL

Actually, I agree with that, Aloha, it happens with me nearly everytime! It's a bit like when you make them a doctors appt because they seem so unwell, and then minutes before you arrive at the surgery, they make a full recovery!!