siblings!

Ok, I get how to handle the children when I'm asking them to do something... like get dressed, put the dishes in the sink, go to bed, brush teeth, etc... I feel like I'm making headway and maintaining more control and peace during those times! But today I've discovered a new problem- dealing with them as siblings! There is a one year age difference between Mistic and Faith. I realize that this is a normal sibling behaivor, but I'm not sure how to nip it in the bud and keep it calm. How do I respond when they are both on the couch playing and all of a sudden Mistic is kicking Faith in the head with her feet... so now, Faith is crying. Or what about the hitting? It starts off playful and turns deadly... Or what about when Faith says she needs to go potty and all of a sudden there's a race between her and Mistic to get to the potty first... What about when one takes the toys away from the other one? And the whole sharing speech goes in one ear and out the other??? I know I'm not alone, but I need help!!!

[Amber]

When I was pg with Kyle I read "Siblings Without Rivalery" and really liked it. It had some really good suggestions of things to do to keep the peace...of course I can't remember them right now

[klpmommy]

[Can Dance]

Tell kicking child "you are not allowed to kick, we do not kick in our family. if you are angry, you use your words, not your feet." If child being kicked is not capable of talking, and just cries I would say "these are her words that she is using to tell you she DOES NOT LIKE THIS".