Parents of Schoolgoers  Discussion Forum

I have 3 daughters aged 9,7,5 respectively. Most of the time they get along great. My problem is when they dont. The elder 2 fight like cats biting, kicking, hitting each other, sitting on top of each other and punching away. They have been like this for years and i dont know how to discipline them. After all they are girls! Worst part is my wife actually encourages them!
Can someone tell me how to talk to them including my wife?
Poomina replied. I think that some fighting for siblings is normal; but to the extent of punching and kicking...I think that is going overboard. They should not be allowed to act like this. I also dont think that your wife should be incouraging that type of behavior from her girls. Sister need to be taught sisterly love and respect. They should be growing up loving each other and playing peacefully together. I would explain to the girls along with your wife that they are not allowed to behave physically towards each other. I simply would not allow them to be hitting on each other. Maybe when they were caught being mean to each other, there should be a punishment for this behavior. You could try taking an activity or a toy away from them when they act like this. For example, if they are physically fighting, you can take their TV watching away for the rest of the day. Or you could take a favorite game or doll away for the rest of the day. As for your wife. You need to talk to her and tell her that you dont think that it is good for the girls to be fighting this way. Tell her that it is not good for anyone to be hitting or physically fighting, let alone sisters. Maybe you could make it a rule in the house that there is to be no physicaly fighting anymore; and stick to it.

Poomina