They fight ALL THE TIME!

I am so sick and tired of my twins constant fighting. And I mean constant. There is always yelling, screaming, screeching, pushing, shoving, taking toys, just constant fighting around here. Then the hittng starts. UGH!!! :vava: I am about ready to pull all my hair out.
How did you get through this? Do you have any suggestions? I usually try to seperate and say NO but that usually doesn't make a difference.

SOOOO frusturating!!!! <_<

Going crazy!!! :crazy:

 

Yeah, that would get old a little fast!!

I would put them in separate time outs (different places). I would say 'no fighting" and then I would say "that's 1 - if I get to 3 its' time out" and then so on and so forth (as described in 1-2-3 magic). I would just keep putting them in time out after time out. Maybe even in their crib for one with no toys or lovies etc..... After that, I don't know what I would do!! I'm sorry you are dealing with such drama!!

 

For us it's not constant, but they do fight quite a bit lately. I try to seperate them and distract them. I tell them "no fighting". And if these don't work I tell them they need to work it out. That usually works. They get bored fighting because I'm not paying attention I guess. But then they aren't hurting each other... they're just whining and screaming.

 

Mine used to fight constantly when they were about your children's age. It was really getting out of hand because they would hit, bite, and push each other. It got to a point where one of them really did not like the other one and tried to avoid his brother whenever he was playing. That's when I started to use timeout at the first sign of aggression. Whenever there was any hitting, biting, kicking, pushing of any kind, I put the aggressor in timeout in his playpen. Within a week, their aggressive behavior pretty much stopped. It was the best thing because when the aggressive behavior stopped, they started to play nicely with each other and had so much fun together.

Now they try to negotiate with each other for toys or snacks. "I'll give you this if you give me that." Or just beg and beg and beg until his brother gives up the toy.

 

QUOTE(BRMommy @ Apr 17 2007, 01:40 AM) [snapback]223187[/snapback]
Mine used to fight constantly when they were about your children's age. It was really getting out of hand because they would hit, bite, and push each other. It got to a point where one of them really did not like the other one and tried to avoid his brother whenever he was playing. That's when I started to use timeout at the first sign of aggression. Whenever there was any hitting, biting, kicking, pushing of any kind, I put the aggressor in timeout in his playpen. Within a week, their aggressive behavior pretty much stopped. It was the best thing because when the aggressive behavior stopped, they started to play nicely with each other and had so much fun together.

Now they try to negotiate with each other for toys or snacks. "I'll give you this if you give me that." Or just beg and beg and beg until his brother gives up the toy.


Thankfully there is no biting yet! Just hitting and shoving and grabbing toys roughly.
So you think timeouts work at 18 months? I'll have to try that. I don't want them to not like eachother. I think what may be happening is my non-agressive twin is sticking up for himself now and the aggressor doesn't like it.

Thanks to everyone so far for your responses. I am at a loss here and appreciate all the help!

 

I thought 18 months might be too early too. But it was their pediatrician who recommended it, so I decided to try it and see. It worked for us, so I guess my boys were ready for it. It was also good for ME because it stopped me from yelling and screaming and getting emotional when they fought.

 

My Ped recommends beginning timeouts at age 18 months. he says they may not "get it" immediately, but they should start getting consequences for their actions around that time.

I did this with Gabe at that age and at first, he didn't get it, but I tell ya I think it did him good in the long run! Because by the time his "will and stubborness" came in to play, he already knew what timeout was used for and wasn't a "new" concept!

Best of luck!