Posted by Joan on March 05, 2001 at 16:47:00:
In Reply to: Discipline for pinching, hitting and kicking posted by Kari on February 28, 2001 at 21:57:32:
My guys are 4 and 5 and they get into some pretty amazing brawls. Generally, when they start getting physical they are separated, made to go to bed or time out for a while and if they were fighting over a toy or game, that item is confiscated.
Often I hear them getting louder and louder as the fighting starts and I remind them that if they fight over a toy it will get put away so perhaps they can cooperate. They know I am serious so most of the time one kid will say "Ok, you go first and we'll take turns" or "I'll share with you if you let me go first" But then some times they cant seem to agree and they end up punching and scratching and the toys gets put up for a day or two and comes back down when they both tell me they can play with it without fighting.
The lesson I really hope to drive home is that cooperation works, sharing doubles the fun and fighting ends it and mom and dad do not tolerate hitting your brother for any reason.