General Chat

ann that water trick is one ill try thanks for that, and the clothes out the window, hubby has often threatened but for some reason they jump when he speaks. maybe its the fact hes ex army and talks like hes in the barracks. he has resorted to turning the mattress off daughters bed after she constantly left it like a tip. i cant wait for the next time now, water at the ready

I used to say I wish I could go to sleep and wake up and you would all be 21!!!!!!! I've got 5 the girls were worse than the boys! And now they are all well over 21 YIPPEE!! Now have two teenage grandchildren and when their parents complain about the arguments I just nod and say I remember it well! Linda x

Ann. Brilliant idea, throwing the water over them! Wish i'd thought of that. Definitely going to use that one in future and as for throwing the clothes out of the window....... genius!!! Soooooo looking forward to my lots next fight. Am I sick or what????

Hi Julie Ann, what can i say, i have 3 girls 22yrs, 14yrs and 4 yrs. Glutten for punishment. Just a few tips for you that may or may not work. When they start to argue, start to treat them like little children and when they ask why? tell them it is because they are acting like small kids. this may work. I apprecaite they are older, but if the tv is a problem remove them from their rooms and ban the tv going on downstairs. Until they can act civil to one another. I had to laugh at the clothes out of the window Yep you guessed it i did this one to! to the eldest daughter. and no she wasn't amused when she found her bra hanging from a tree. by the way i did warn the nieghbours first in case they thought i had lost the plot and gone mad> The only other thing i can say is i understand what you are going through as i have been their done it and guess what i am going through it again, but this time with a 14yr old and a 4 yr old constantly fighting. I am ready to book the padded cell for myself again (lol) Good Luck Sue

I also have children who still fight with each other two girls 20 & 13 I have tried allsorts over the last few years but have recently sat them both down and asked them both what they would feel if my husband and myself would suddenly start fighting in front of them, I asked them what their reactions would be, would they side with me? or their dad? and how they would feel if we were fighting, would they be frightned? or scared? would they take sides or would they want to phone the police? They listened to what I had to say and understood the importance of what I had said.... They still have arguements occasionaly but Its a lot better now, I dont get involved in their disagrements too much unless it gets too heated and then I do go and play referee, but it has been much better since I put the boot on the other foot. I know it will not work for everyone but its made a huge difference in my household.........

Julie I have nothing to offer but sympathy! I know that when I was a teenager (I was nearly 3 years older than my brother) I avoided him as much as possible and could hardly stand being in the same room with him. I think he felt the same way. It's only now that we are in our 40s that we get on quite well again, since our childhood. My own two boys are 2 years apart, 12 and 10. They fight occasionally, but as they grow older are getting on better and enjoy having someone to play with - it helps they are the same sex. When they fight I separate them. When they had a row over whose turn to play on the Playstation, i took it away from them for a week. if they argue over toys or edibles, i remove them. They then unite in thinking I'm a horrible mum and are best buddies!

Oh Julie Ann, sending you some sympathy. I can't say anything useful because although I have a teenage son, he's the only one so nobody to fight with (except his dad, they do that from time to time!). I'm sure you'll get lots of help and advice on here. Sending love and a hug, Mandy :)

i knw i have most of the answers after 17 years but im now tired of my 17yr old and 13 year old fighting. monday tuesday i came in from work,(its only part time and ive insured theyve never been left alone, took jobs that fitted around them, always been here,even hubby recently said he wanted to thank me for always being their for the kids as his mum wasnt, it ws instinct with me, i could never have left them out of love and duty, i wanted them i looked after them) anyway, daughters 17 just borrowed sons dvd film without asking, then asks him to come and watch it with her though hes just got it and shes took it, he asks for it back,she goes ballistic. it can only be compared to beirut i feel. ive just had to hammer tacks back in her bedroom door as she claims he broke the door fighting with her, he says she kept opening it and yelling at him then slamming it shut. i forgot to explain monday and tuesday, as there dad left for work they start fighting, im in the kitchen, they are both biting and scraming. I split them up, belive it or not, my son wanted to watch footy, daughter wanted to watch blue peter and neighbours. ive tried to explain compromise. id go for a run but its 930pm. and yes they both have tv,s