How to Resolve Arguing Between Your Kids

Set house rules and enforce them. A household without rules has the potential to produce siblings that naturally fight more because there are no repercussions. Establish clear rules as far as playing with toys, using the computer and doing chores, and enforce those rules consistently every time for each child.

Model the right example. If you and your spouse argue in front of the children, refuse to compromise and then ignore each other for the rest of the day because of an argument, you're setting the wrong example for your kids. When you inevitably have a disagreement with your spouse, set the right example by showing your kids how to talk through the problem and reach an agreement or compromise.

Focus on cooperation, not competition. Unintentionally creating competition between siblings -- for example, by seeing which child can clean his room the fastest -- can trigger arguments. The University of Michigan Health System explains that a natural sibling rivalry can develop from such orchestrated competitions. Instead, have your kids work together to achieve a task, such as cleaning the playroom, rather than competing to see who does it best.

Delay intervention. Unless your children are in danger or harming themselves, sometimes the best way to resolve arguing is to stay out of it, according to KidsHealth. Your kids will learn to resolve their own conflicts or, better yet, avoid conflict because you aren't swooping in to help them every time.

Separate kids when it's time to intervene. Stop further conflict by separating your children in the heat of an argument. If you keep them in the same room, the fight might escalate, even after your intervention. Give them chances to cool off privately before bringing them back together.

Avoid placing blame. In many cases, both children contributed to the argument, no matter who started it. Rather than focusing on placing blame, help your children talk through the argument to identify a fair resolution.

Reprimand a child in private, away from her siblings. When one sibling is clearly at fault and needs to be disciplined, discipline that child in a separate room -- never in front of the other siblings. A public reprimand might leave the other sibling feeling victorious, and you don't want your children to feel like they are competing to win every argument.