Sibling Rivalry

[3qtzzzzz]

I am an only child raising 3 kids ages 3, 5, and 7. There is constant fighting (including hitting and kicking) regarding personal belongings. No one wants anyone else to touch their things. Since I was an only child, I have no experience in sibling fighting. Do I make them respect each others belongings and not touch what's not theirs without the other's permission? Do I make them share everything? Or do I just let them fight it out? I'm totally confused and scared I'm going to mess them up for life. Help!

[winslowtribe]

I'm a mom of two, step mom to one ages 2, 4, and 9 so I understand the constant fight of that’s mine not yours, as my two youngest say and the your to little to touch stay out, from my older daughter. We've always told are children they can each have one special toy that’s just theirs, but all others must be shared.

So when ever the argument of that’s mine comes up, I simply ask ("Is that your one special toy") I get the look of we better stop fighting about it! Because they know that if they don't stop fighting about it that mommy will put it up on the top of a shelf in the kitchen. And it will only come back down when they decide to share, and if they happen to fight over it again it goes right back up there. This really works I hardly ever have to take anything away the kids know the rules and they know I stick to them.

Now since my oldest is quite a bit older and has more little Barbie toys and more fragile things we went to Wal-Mart and bought her a computer ataman, it was just perfect for her things it has lots of cubbies and with the two handles one on each door we were able to put a child safety lock on it to keep the little ones out.
All of her other things such as stuffed animals, & baby dolls are free game.

Hope this gives you some ideas, it works well for us, hopefully it will for you!