I think it’s hard to find the balance between jumping in and helping kids interact well together vs. letting the kids’ solve their own issues by themselves. One of the first things I ask if I child comes running to me is, “Did you try and solve it by yourselves first?” They’ve gotten into the habit of saying, “Mom, Kenzie is….” First question: “Did you ask your sister to stop?” I always give them an option of getting an adult to help if there is no resolution. I do not let it reach levels of screaming or fighting that is inappropriate. We stop that kind of interaction immediately. I want to give my kids the proper tools to be able to handle situations that arrive in their sibling relationships. By giving them problem solving tools amid conflict within the family, they will be better equipped for relationship issues outside the home.
