Go to your room

This is my go-to phrase when the girls are constantly bickering – both verbally and physically.

Yes, physical – hitting, kicking, and punching are things that happen on the regular here.

Whichever liar pants said girls are more emotional and less physical has obviously not met my crew. Sheesh.

Anyway, moving on.

When the girls are in this state, I usually send them to their room to cool down, and quite frankly give me some space to decide on a consequence.

They OBVIOUSLY need some time a part, especially considering we homeschool – we are around one another ALL THE TIME.

But, a couple of months ago, I had a revelation.

I’ve been misinterpreting their behavior and claims.

They don’t actually need space from one another (though there are clear times where this is the case), what they actually need is time TOGETHER.

Yes, I just said more time with one another is the answer.

I have a feeling some of you may think I’m insane.

Hear me out.

My girls fight about dolls, or who used their make-up, or who got into their stash of whatever, constantly at each other because they’re simultaneously focused on their siblings’ frustrating nuances and what they want.

The remedy (for us 99% of the time)?

More togetherness, but with a common goal: enjoyment.

Instead of sitting in front of the TV and arguing over which television show or movie fits the ages spanning 11-2, we (really me) pull out a game and invite (really force to begin) all of them to the table for game time.

We pull out Unocorns or Uno Flip, Qwirkle or Fish Sticks, or our latest favorite: Pickles to Penguins and we work toward the common goal of having fun with one another.

Most of the time, this is the fix.

This response helps the girls see their sibling is actually fun to be around and maybe they aren’t the horrible individual they’ve envisioned or experienced just minutes before.

It’s like a reset.

So, here’s my goal for you.

The next time your kids are fighting, especially when it seems like there’s no end to it, instead of sending them to their room, or requiring time apart, grab a game, -force- them to sit at the table, and work towards the common goal of enjoying time with one another.

When you play, enjoy every moment of it.

Soak in the hilarity, the raised spirits, and the smiles.

You won’t regret it.