Frequent quarrels between siblings are, for many of us, vivid memories from childhood, when we now recall with amusement our trivial conflicts and how serious and important they once seemed. When children engage in regular fights and their quarrels turn into fierce battles, it is a clear signal for us to intervene and try to teach them to seek harmonious solutions.

From the very beginning, it is worth teaching children that quarrels do not have to mean a lack of respect for the other person. Children learn through imitation – they may observe different behaviors on television, but above all from their parents. That is why we should start with ourselves, avoiding setting a bad example and striving to maintain a proper level of discussion.

Anger is natural for people; we have the right to feel irritation. However, it is important to distinguish anger from unjustified, or any, aggression towards another person. It is essential to teach children from an early age how to cope with intense emotions. A good method is to find ways to release negative emotions, for example, through sports, creative activities, dancing, or painting.

If the age gap between your children is large, it is not surprising that conflicts may occur. Children of different ages have completely different perspectives and needs, which can lead to disagreements. Using the argument “You have to give in because they are younger” is one of the worst solutions, as it only fuels the conflict and the older child’s anger. The best approach is to let children resolve disputes on their own, while guiding them to work out the fairest solution. If they cannot reach agreement themselves, suggest your own possible solutions and ask which they consider the fairest.

If we intervene during children’s quarrels, we should not suppress the conflicts. An open conflict is an opportunity to work towards reconciliation, while hidden grievances, helplessness, and anger are destructive emotions that can become a heavy burden for the child. The most important thing is to teach children to resolve disputes with mutual respect.