HOW do I stop the fighting???

[PamE]

We have three children, two girls, 9 1/2 and 4 1/2 and a son, 6. Lately they have been fighting non-stop! This may be "normal" but Mom is going to be a prime candidate for the funny farm if it doesn't stop SOON!!! I really need help coming up with ideas. Grounding and taking away privileges hasn't helped one iota. I'm looking for really strict options. I'm to the point where I'm ready to tell them that they may not speak to, touch, be in the same room with or breathe the same air with their siblings! Most of it is petty little stuff but it's driving me up the bloomin' wall! Tried, 123 Magic and since the consequences don't phase them it really doesn't work. I guess I really need help coming up with new consequences. PLEASE help me!!! All I know is this has to stop before summer or it's really going to hit the fan!

[Amy]

Does grounding both parties involved despite whose fault it is help?

[KarlaB]

My dks, little :angel: s LOL, have also been at each other's throats nonstop lately and it is so frustrating when NOTHING works. I have been wondering if we're not just going a little stir crazy here with the way winter dragged on and if it won't get better when we can get out more?? Do you take away stuff they really enjoy as a consequence? Or what about rewarding the child not involved in the fighting - if there's a time when only two of them are fighting. My dks are younger, so I'm really not a big help but I'll try to think of more ideas. Just wanted you to know you're not alone!! :tearhair:

[Diane]

I'm inclined to think it's the weather. All of my day care kids have been in very argumentive, fighting moods too. I usually end up separating them. This afternoon I had one sitting on one side of the room coloring while another sat on another side of the room doing puzzles. Another one played with the light brite in another area of the room while yet another one played with the Lego's. What really gets to me though is that when their together... they fight like crazy but after I've separated them they BEG me to let them play together again with promises that they won't fight anymore... but I know they will. LOL I'll usually leave them alone for a while to give them time to "think about it"... and then try again. :) Let's hope the weather straightens up pretty soon and we can let them all go outside and run off some of this pent up energy they seem to have. LOL

[PamE]

Thank you for your responses! Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I lost my post! I think I will try separating them for a while. Even when I take away stuff they really love it doesn't seem to keep them from fighting for any length of time. I wish I had the weather to blame it on. :0/ We're in Arizona and it's already getting up into the 80's and 90's. The kids have played outside all winter, usually with nothing more than a lightweight coat. Summer weather is coming earlier and earlier. I really miss the white stuff and weather cold enough to build a fire in the fireplace. Our seasons are Summer, mid-Summer, hotter-than-Hades Summer and pre-Summer! If you will all send me some of your winter I'll GLADLY send you my seasons! :0D

Sorry, got off track there! Anyway, in case anyone is interested there is a website called www.creativecorrections.com They have some interesting ideas to help with ways to discipline or end conflict.

[kat]

PamE,

Thanks for the site. I just went there briefly and didn't even browse, but loved the scripture tie in. I will be going back and passing this on to others as well.

:thumb: