How to Stop Twins Fighting

Sometimes it seems like twins start fighting in the womb. There are even sonogram pictures in which twins are fighting in utero. When they get older, the fighting may peak and sometimes it's hard to know what to do. Follow these steps to stop the conflict.

Instructions

1. Reward your twins when they handle disputes using their "nice words." This will encourage more similar behavior. Children respond better to positive reinforcement to stop fighting.

2. Remove situations that cause disputes. If a certain toy continually sparks fighting, remove that toy. A wise parent once said you have to pick your battles.

3. Separate your twins if they are at each others throats on a particular day. Many fights stem from one twin being irritable. Find separate activities or have someone take one of the twins for the day.

4. Have a reward system to stop the fighting. For example, if your twins avoid fighting for a week, they earn a coveted toy.

5. Ignore it. Sometimes twins fight to prove the other is wrong and earn your attention. If they do not receive any attention, the fighting may diffuse and stop.

6. Place your twins on a time out. Separate them into different rooms so they don't continue fighting behind closed doors. A minute for each year of age makes for a reasonable time out.

Tips & Warnings

• If the fight resorts to physical violence, don't ignore it. You must step in because violence is never okay.