STEP 1 - Remember that it is your home and your family. Anything that annoys you is fair game for discipline. If it saps your energy than it needs to be rooted out for the good of all. Once it’s gone think of all the extra time and energy you can put towards family time!

STEP 2 - Explain to your children that you will be employing a new method of disipline. It goes like this – they’ve got three chances to knock it off before they go to time out (or whatever other disapline you can easily follow through with quickly).

STEP 3 – Once you hear any kind of fighting you say, “Joe and Sally, that’s one for both of you.”

STEP 4 - If they continue fighting or if they give you attitude for the ‘one’. Then they get a two.

STEP 5 - If they continue arguing with you or with each other, they get a three and it’s into time out.

STEP 6 - If you follow this method strictly, the petty arguments will cease with in a week – I guarantee it.

Related posts:

1. Stop The Fighting With Talking, Can You?
2. 8 Ways You Can Improve the Quality of The Time You Spend With Your Kids
3. How to Stop Yelling at Your Children

STEP 1 – Look for the underlying cause

To minimize your kid’s quarreling recognize what is triggering the outbursts. Is your child tired, hungry, feeling left out, needing more of your attention, or bored? If you suspect that this may be the cause, ask, “What can we do to make things better?’

STEP 2 – Encourage siblings to talk about what’s going on

Talking things through eliminates sulking and whining. You might ask: “I wonder what started this fight? or “Are you willing to tell me what happened?” Or simply say: “Let’s talk about it at the peace table.”

STEP 3 – Sit at the peace table

A peace table is a designated spot where everyone can talk with out being interrupted. Each child takes a turn explaining what happened. The peace table is a safe place where everyone gets a chance to be heard.

STEP 4 – Remind the kids about the rules of conduct

No name calling, no hitting, no shoving allowed. At the peace table everyone gets a turn to listen and a turn to talk.

STEP 5 – Let all the kids suggest a solution

Don’t underestimate kids ability to solve the problems. As the parent you are the leader in the negotiation. Ask each child, “What is your solution?” Remember conflicts are not all bad. In fact solving a disagreement often brings kids closer. Tell the kids, “I know you will figure this out.” Tell them that you are glad that they are learning to solve conflicts by negotiating.

STEP 6 – Don’t force togetherness

While it is okay to encourage siblings to share their possessions and toys, it is not okay to force. Forcing causes resentments which leads to more bickering later.

STEP 7 – Give genuine approval when they work things through and cooperate.

Related posts:

1. Stop The Fighting With Talking, Can You?
2. Teaching Your Child About Conflicts