How to Stop Sibling Fights Before They Happen

Too much togetherness is rarely a good thing. Dreading the summer months? Set your kids up for success with realistic expectations for the coming months. Follow these steps to build a plan that works for your family. Stop sibling fights before they happen to ensure a happy summer…for everyone.
How to Stop Sibling Fights Before They Start…
1. Provide some structure…
Going from scheduled school-time to no schedule can be a real challenge for many children. Without a schedule or routine, they feel no sense of control and will therefore fight—for control over anything. As soon as there is some predictability for the day, the need to control everything seems to decrease. It can be as simple as reviewing when meals will happen, along with quiet time, errands that need to be run, etc.
2. Expect that your kids will need a break from each other
Rather than waiting for a fight to break up their together-time, help them to plan when they will spend time apart. At the very least, teach them how to ask for it:
‘I need some time on my own,’ rather than, ‘I hate you! Get out of my face!’
3. Help them to figure out sharing
If there is one toy/technology device/basketball hoop, how do they use it together? Kids (4 and up) are great at coming up with solutions to these kind of problems so ask them to help figure it out. Some ideas:
- Odd days one child chooses the game, even days the other chooses the game
- Taking turns
- Scheduling individual time on the device/toy
4. Set clear boundaries
Set boundaries for what can and cannot be done, along with when and for how long. Provide limits and consequences ahead of time so that things feel fair.