Sibling Fights: Should You Step In or Let Them Work It Out?

Faced with sibling fights, most parents swing between two extremes: ruling on every dispute ("give it back, it's his!") or letting them "sort it out." The first creates a winner, a loser, and resentment. The second usually favors the older or stronger child.

The third way: the mediator role. You step in — but without judging. "Stop. Each of you tells me your side, one at a time, no interrupting." Then: "What do you two suggest so it's fair for both of you?" Nine times out of ten, kids invent a solution more creative than yours.

One red line stays clear: you don't step in to take sides, but you always step in when there are hits or words meant to wound. Safety isn't negotiable; everything else is a skill they're learning.