I Am a Mother of 2 Daughters

They have 3 year age gap between them. Sometimes I think it's more like a 10 year gap, the way in which they argue and sometimes come close to hitting each other. I really can not relate to this behavior because I have a sister whom I loved and nurtured with much care. We would have our little squabbles nothing that got out of hand where our parents would have to get involved. Today was the limit for me, watching them rolling on the flow throwing punches is not the way I wanted to see my kids behaving. Playing referee aggravated me to an extent where I also lost my senses by raising my voice and sending them of to their rooms. This leaves me with tears that I am failing some where in my parenting skills.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Picklebobble · 56-60, M

Always hard to know what to do for the best.
Your kids are discovering their world.
And whilst your world is huge with knowledge; understanding; experience and figuring out what role you play within it, their world is much much smaller. And it doesn't take much for them to feel threatened within it !
It's always distressing to watch your own go at it. I always told mine that the world is full of people just itching for a fight ! All you have to do is catch their eye and that'll be enough !
They'll grow out of it. Once they each establish their own independence and begin to grow as individuals.
Try not to worry.

WildHeart · 41-45, F

Thank you! You give sound advice. Greatly appreciated.

Picklebobble · 56-60, M

@WiseGirl: I have three. All in their mid-late 20's.
Both the boys, have been at each other from the time they were 7-5. !!
Consequently it caused all kinds of aggro. And left me feeling like a cross between a referee and a jailer !! These days they are two very different people.
They have contact with each other and meet up occasionally, but they have their own lives.