How can you keep kids from bickering so much? They seem to constantly get on each other nerves and fight?

Answer 1

its normal, their siblings. Every now and then find something for them to do individually in separate rooms, it'll give you some quiet time.

Answer 2

A degree of bickering is normal. When you need a break from it, separate the children who are disruptive with tasks. Require them to do some household chores appropriate for their age and physical capabilities. A particular chore doesn't even have to be a necessity or even serve a real purpose as long as it keeps them busy. Sitting in a corner was not really helpful, but requiring an activity that kept offending parties apart for a time worked better. Be careful not to use activities that ultimately reward bad behaviour.

Our son liked to pick on his sister from time to time. If it crossed my early warning line, he had to work outside with me (he didn't like yard work). One cooperative task both liked was to help me with bread making or pie making. My wife would take a time out and read with them. No one thing works every time or can be used under all circumstances. Sometimes, a loud warning followed by non-fun consequences for noncompliance is the only avenue. Once they grow up, it becomes quiet, again. Don't expect it before then.

Answer 3

See, many years ago when parents were able to punish their kids it was easier. My sister and I used to be at each other all the time until our mother wore us both out with a hickory switch. You can't spank kids now and make them mind...that's why our world is crumbling and on such a rapid decline that kids will be doing whatever they want to and be protected by law in a few years or so.

After our mother gave us a good hiding, she never heard a peep from either us fighting again...we learned how to express our hatred for each other quietly. As soon as she found out there was still silent bickering going on...well..I'll just have to say she put a stop to that too and leave it at that.

Of course, I'm an advocate of making children appreciate things they are ungrateful for. Kids don't appreciate ANYTHING and think the world owes them everything. One thing they forget is that their siblings are more "related" to them than either their mothers and fathers...and when everyone is dead and gone, their siblings may be the only people they have left. Most kids quarrel over ridiculous things and it does get annoying. Put them in a situation where they have to rely on each other...it might bring them closer together. Don't pull any punches either...scare the bejesus out of them so they'll never forget it and are thankful that the other one was there for them. That worked with me and my sister too.

Send one to visit a friend or relative for a few days and tell the one left at home that the other one died....switch them around without them seeing each other then do it to number two.

Let them go a week or so and think they have no sibling anymore...and don't hesitate to pour on that guilt during the whole charade. Make them feel bad by telling them that if they weren't so nasty to the other one, they might still be alive....or that it's awful that the other ones last thoughts of his/her brother/sister was that of them hating them....

Harsh? Yes. Effective. You betcha.

It's time that parents took back control of their kids without agencies or the government telling us what we can or cannot do. I would never hurt or kill one of my kids, but if they screw up repeatedly with the same thing, I'm pulling out the big guns (with a chamber full of sheer terror and fright) and will make little believers out of them. It's either that or have them grow up feeling their entitled, spoiled or going to jail because they're worthless and petted.

Answer 4

I used two chairs with my sons, 18 months apart in age and bickering/fighting a LOT.
When the fighing was 'mild', I ignored it. When it got 'out of hand', too loud or too prolonged, I put each on one chair, about 6 feet apart, facing each other.
I told them they would sit on the chairs until they could agree to get along.
If apologies were needed, they were to make them to each other.
Then they could get up and resume playing. The next occurrence of fighting would get them back on the chair.
I left it to them how long they wanted to sit on the chair. If it took 2 seconds to make up, that would do it. If it would take 10 minutes, that was fine with me, too.
Some times they would glare hatefully at each other for 15 minutes. I didn't care. They could get up when they BOTH agreed to get along.
This worked like a charm, because they BOTH shared the consequences of prolonging the process.
P.S. I just read some of the answers saying they should say "I love you" to each other and hug. Well, how honest would that be? I would not teach my children to force emotions or say empty words they don't mean. They could feel any way they wanted to but treat each other with respect and make an agreement to get along no matter how they felt.

Answer 5

Are they always hanging out together? I mean, it is the Christmas Break, and my kids are getting on each others nerves, but they seem to FORCE the issue, and hang out in each other's rooms. When I notice that the bickering is turning into head-locks and foot-ball tackles, I tell them to go do something else AWAY from each other. I know it sounds silly, but---gosh---it's like they need to REMINDED to do some "alone-time".

Answer 6

Okay first, you can't stop it. It's what they do. You can however, minimize it, or at least make it less loud, ha ha.

Kids that are mad at each other would rather do anything, such as hush up and stop screaming, than to touch each other. So here's what you do......

.......sit them in the living room with their legs crossed, facing each other, as close as they can get. Make them put their heads together. My step dad always made us touch noses, but forheads work too. Then make them tell each other I love you, repeatedly. Make them do it for 5 minutes, or until they look murderous, which ever, and I promise the screaming and arguing will cease.

Good luck, and try to remember, one day....you'll miss it!

Answer 7

Haha i wish there was a magic answer for that one! But sadly, it will always be that way. When my brother and i were very young he was my best friend but the older we got the worse things got between the two of us. Usually it was him because he was 3 yrs older. Now were older and have children of our own so we always get along. They should grow out of it but don't count on it for a while to come. Siblings always seem to butt heads.

Answer 8

How old are they , think of a fun game something different . Sing a song , puzzles are great at any age . I use to also tell my kids if they fight , they were going to hold hands all day , they hated that , good luck .

Answer 9

The worse punishment of all: make then stand and hug each other for a while. LOL That oughta bring some love between them.

Answer 10

I don't know, I have the same problem. I usually just try to find something for them to do to get their minds off of the fact that they are fighting with eachother.

Answer 11

we were fined a quarter for each time we spoke!
It was taken from our allowance-

Mom took us to the mall and said okay here is your money for the wek and it was .75- we just started to avoid each other instead of losing money over fightin.

My mom has a ringer bell- desk bell and she would ring it everytime she was close by- what a pain.