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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Fighting Siblings

2 replies

TickingClick · 22/06/2025 18:59

Can I please ask what your / normal expectations are around siblings fighting?

I have two sons; 10&14, youngest has ASD&ADHD (which is relevant in the sense that i likely more protective given some of the figures around mental health). The boys fight, very often becoming physical, every day. My teenager is tall and athletic and probably doesn't recognise his own strength at times, although I do belive he does hold back from what he could do. Teen is difficult at home, glowing at school and his team sports. He is very hands on, he loves to squish my youngest cheeks (i know that sounds odd!) And arms. This can wind my youngest up as it can go on for too long or be painful. Teen says there is favouritism and can get wound up by me. I still treat them the same in almost all ways, including bed making and dinner making and lifts everywhere. But I think Its normal to have different expectations for them given their age etc. Such as expecting Teen to leave youngest alone or just sit and chat. Teen is also disruptive if youngest and I are watching a film, he'll come down, start messing around, squidging cheeks and being loud.

I don't know how to put this into words really. I just hoped that by now there would be no fighting. I hate confrontation of any kind, I sometimes freeze when they fight, I can't believe what's happening.

OP posts:
CaptainFuture · 23/06/2025 04:00

Such as expecting Teen to leave youngest alone or just sit and chat. Teen is also disruptive if youngest and I are watching a film,

Does youngest wind up teen and you ignore? And do you and teen ever sit and watch a film together? Is it possible teen sees a clear 'this is my favourite child' re youngest and is jealous,

Poopeepoopee · 23/06/2025 05:45

It sounds like you have a teen problem not a two boys fighting problem.

If your 10 year old was to tell his teacher that his almost 15 year old brother was always hitting him what do you think they would do? Where's the boys dad?

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