I don't know how to make my kids stop fighting and calling each other names!

United States
October 8, 2012 12:14pm CST
My kids fight all day long, every single day. They never get along with each other. I separate them and they call each other names from different rooms. Yet, it doesn't take long for them to start fussing at me about letting them play together again. I know that siblings are going to fight, but it seems like mine do it excessively. They are 3,4,6 and 7 and all you ever hear is, "stupid" "dummy" "idiot" "big head" "big mouth" "crybaby" "tattletale"....they'll race each other down the hallway trying to to be the first one to tattle. I eventually get tired of listening to them and put them all in separate rooms. Even when I do that, they yell across the hallway at each other. "This is your fault!" "Now we're in trouble because you have a big mouth" "Mommy! He's making faces at me!"....it's so ridiculous that it's almost comical. I remember when I was a kid how much my little brother and I fought. We were always calling each other names and fighting to the point my mom got so tired of it that she soaped our mouths out and would send us to our rooms for the entire day. I don't use the soap with my kids, but I threaten to put hot sauce on their tongues. And even sending them to their own rooms, with their own toys and no one to have to share with, they still fight through the walls and across the hallway. I don't know how to make them stop. I close the doors, but someone always has to go to the bathroom or get a drink, and my two youngest don't like their doors closed. You would think that as close as my kids are in age that they would get a long a little better, but they don't! And I know they pick this name calling crap up from school because they never did that until my oldest started kindergarten and she brought it home to the younger ones. Now 3 of the kids are in school and that's all they ever do is call names and argue. My husband and I never talk like that, especially in front of the kids and we don't have cable so I know they're not getting it from TV. Does anyone have any suggestions? I can't take it anymore. They're driving me nuts. I want them to get along so they don't have to spend so much time alone. They're siblings and they are going to be forever, I want them to love and respect each other. I expect fighting here and there but they do it constantly. I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thank you.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
8 Oct 12
Your kids are having the time of their lives getting a rise out of their mom! Have you never noticed that the only time they fight is when you are near? So if it didn't bother you they would lose interest, and treat each other differently. The answer is, ignore their noisy games, and instead of yelling at them, try to join in and make fun of it all. As they grow older they will realize how silly their name-calling is,( so be sure to refrain from calling them names.) My wife and I raised 4 boys, of whom we are very proud!
• United States
8 Oct 12
Four boys! Wow...I have 3 boys one girl, so I can imagine! Lol...my boys are such roughnecks. They're always wrestling and playing spiderman and batman...my house is like romper room! Lol....and it's true because when their dad is home, they're a lot calmer that when he's not. All he has to do is give them a look and they calm down really quick! Lol
@GemmaR (8517)
8 Oct 12
It is horrible when your children fight, because you love them all so much. But it is perfectly normal to have rivalry between siblings, and it is not something that you should really be worrying about. However, I do understand that it is easier said than done not to worry. The best thing that you can do is explain to them that it makes you feel sad when they fight, and this should make them try to stop a little bit. As they get older they will be able understand the effect of their fighting a little more and should stop.
• United States
8 Oct 12
I wish it would. We sit down with them and talk about how they shouldn't fight with each other that they should love each other and protect each other. I don't like them fighting at all with anyone. A few weeks ago a little boy pushed my daughter down at recess and and my son socked him. (They're only a year apart). When I asked him why he did that, he said because no one is allowed to pick on her but him. Lol. So they at least look out for each other. Maybe it's just because I'm home with them all the time that it seems like they fight so much more than other kids.
@vandana7 (98859)
• India
8 Oct 12
I have fought with supposed siblings..and really bitter fights they were. lol Nothing serious would emerge of it all. So put your fears at rest. You could try playing games like scrabble with them instead of monopoly which always causes fights. The other thing you could think of is cut their pocket money by a fraction everytime they fight.
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
8 Oct 12
I wonder who started with this. Kids copy behaviour. It's not said siblings will never fight, or always like each other. Bloodbond is not everything. Try to find out/remember when it all started, who started it, who is copying whom (this doesn't need to be the eldest at all). Sounds to me there is a kind of competition going on between your kids. It would help if you would not interfere, let them deal with it alone, would respond (if you respond) in a different way as you usually do, try it with jokes! For example: he is making faces at me! Yes he is, because he is a clown and loves to see a smile on your face. BTW school is the place to gather "new language" if you like it or not. And tv is surely not the only place where they find it. They hear it on the street, radio, in shops etc..
@Traycee (34)
• United States
8 Oct 12
Have you thought about putting them in sports or something after school so that they get so tired, that, by the time they get home they are too tired to fight? That would also take up some time on the weekends. I guess I was lucky, I have 2 that are 7 years apart, only because after the first one I said "never again". But, by having them 7 years apart, I had a little helper when the second one came. So, I guess I don't have much advice other than the sports thing, sorry. My kids are grown and out of the house, so, now, my dogs drive me nuts!! They are spoiled just like the kids were. I hope you find a solution to keep your sanity! Good Luck!!