Your two eldest boys are fighting so you set one to clean the bathroom and the other the kitchen to use...?

Question

... up their energy.
*Then* they start arguing that the other's job is easier and it's "not fair".
What do you do - switch their jobs around or tell them to get on with it as told or else?

Answer 1

You tell them they will do their chores in total silence or the next one that whines has to pull all the weeds in the backyard and clean out the garage!!

Answer 2

Hi,

I would make them get on with it and just ignore their moans! They obviously both want attention and the reason for the chores is because they obviously can't get along together and need to be separated.

The more you step in and make everything ok the more they will not get the skills to cope with situations like this in future - they need to realise that at times there will be consequences and they need to reflect upon their behaviours and get along.

Having said that I do remember rowing with my little brother during the holidays as we were in house a lot and it can become too claustrophobic in the house at times!

We then started going out with our own friends or doing a family day out so we could get along.

Good luck!

Lx

Answer 3

When I was in my last foster home my foster mom had 3 kids including me. She has two of her own. We were around 12-14 years of age back then. What she did was she put her son to kitchen and garbage, her daughter to clean up the living room and vacuum and I was cleaning the bathroom, and gathering laundry. We alternated chores every 2 weeks. So it doesn't get boring.

Answer 4

Make them clean all of the parts of the house they use. And do make them do it together not only will it be done faster but it will be up to both of their standards. If that doesn't cure them send them to their room(s) and take away everything that is a privilege. I am talking computer, phone, tv, radio, and video games, give them books instead. This way they will have equal punishment and they can't fight over it.

Answer 5

Don't switch anything. You start doing that, then you are going to be constantly challenged with every decision you make. Tell them that what is not fair is to constantly listen to their fighting and if they learnt to get along together, they wouldn't be doing it at all. Then walk away. They can't argue against it if you are not available. Stand your ground. :-)

Answer 6

You switch their jobs and make them do it the next day and if they keep it up you switch them every day until they argue no more..

Answer 7

Make them clean one of the places together. They're learning to get along and get the job done. It also solves the "fair" issue.
My boys got into a nasty fight once and their punishment was to clean the playroom together. It took them about 2hrs and they never faught like that again.
Best Wishes =]

Answer 8

Tell them if they don't stop fighting they will lose TV during the week! I am the youngest of 4 and I don't know how my parents kept from beating the crap out of us for all of the fighting that was going on. It sounded like WW3 in our house!

Answer 9

Just tell them your the boss and if they carry on they can do there bedrooms and living room as well lol tell them you can find them loads of jobs for them to do there soon shut up mine do.

Answer 10

My sister and i got into a fight and my mom made us sit at the kitchen table and stare at each other...we weren't allowed to open our mouths for thirty mintutes, our "cool down" time and then mom came and sat and the table and made us talk it out...tho this only works every once in a while...lots of time we make mom mad enough to ground us, then she takes away EVERYTHING....her biggest rule is that there is to be no fighting...yea...right...but we get our punishment when we do....