How to Handle a Fight Between Siblings

All siblings fight. It’s part of growing up. But often parents get drawn into the middle of a sibling fight and feel forced to take sides. It can be hard for parents to know how to handle a fight between siblings because often parents do not see the entire fight. So, if you walk in on an argument or fight between siblings, here are some great steps to handle a fight fairly.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

How to Handle a Fight Between Siblings

1. Stay impartial and resist the urge to choose sides. Chances are, you haven't observed a sibling fight from the beginning so you may be missing the big picture.

2. If the fight between siblings is verbal, try to work as a mediator instead of a judge. Ask the kids to be quiet and offer each one an opportunity to communicate the issue to the other. Encourage the children to come to a mutual solution that they both agree with. Offer suggestions and guide the conversation to help the siblings resolve the issue. Praise the children for resolving the issue on their own.

3. If the fight is physical, immediately separate the children and send both to a time out. Since you may not have seen the entire altercation, it is not fair to just discipline one child. When you discipline both, you are sending a no tolerance message for physical violence.

Tips & Warnings

• Recognize that it is normal for siblings to fight. Try to stay out of the argument and encourage your kids to work it out on their own if the fight is not physical.
• Immediately intervene and stop any physical fighting between siblings. It is easy for a child to accidentally get hurt when fighting with their sibling.