How to Stop Your Twins Fighting

Frustrated with your twins fighting all the time? Sibling rivalry isn’t inevitable. Learn the habits that can encourage them to get along.

Twins FightingFirst it was Spiderman, then Batman, and finally, Superman. Each new toy my husband and I gave our twin boys became the Hot Item they had to fight over. It seemed like they wanted whichever superhero the other person had.

While infant twins are hard, young toddlers and older kids can be challenging as well, especially when they fight all the time. It’s enough to make any parent feel like she’s losing her mind. And it doesn’t help when the fighting seems to be getting worse and out of control.

Sometimes you can’t even let them work it out on their own because they resort to pushing and aggression, and someone is bound to get hurt and cry. When it gets to this point, it’s easy to feel like you’re not handling the situation all that well.

How to handle your twins fighting

If this sounds like you, you’re not alone.

Many twin moms have admitted that they’ve tried everything, from telling their twins to be gentle to putting them in time outs. They’re constantly preventing or resolving fights and meltdowns. Forget about quality time—everything feels like damage control instead.

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way.

After all these years, I’ve learned a lot about helping my twins better communicate their frustration and tears and learn how to compromise. I still run into trouble sometimes, but they get along well and have developed a strong bond. Take a look at what finally worked to help them stop fighting:

1. Acknowledge both sides

How often do we spot a power struggle and launch right into discipline mode? This is especially true when it seems like one twin was the perpetrator while the other was the victim.

Except I’ve found that both kids always have valid reasons for feeling the way they do.

For instance, one could be so frustrated with the other that she feels compelled to hit her twin. While hitting isn’t the right behavior, acknowledge what prompted her to behave that way. Yes, she was “at fault” for hitting, but something compelled her bad behavior.

Then, let the other twin know that he may have played a part in it as well, whether intentionally or not. The situation can serve as a teachable moment for both kids, but only if they each feel heard.

Only when they feel acknowledged can you explain that we don’t hit. Give examples of other ways they can better communicate their frustration, such as going to you, leaving the room, or telling the other to stop. It’s okay to have healthy disagreement, especially since they’re different people, but if done respectfully.

Free resource: As frustrating as your twins’ behavior may be, a lot of it can be prevented by understanding each one’s perspective. In The Power of Empathy, you’ll learn how empathy is the secret key that makes a huge difference in how they behave. Join my newsletter and grab your PDF below:

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2. Set a timer

As tempting as it is for twin parents to get two of everything, kids benefit from sharing toys. They learn how to take turns, to value the toys they do have, and to learn to play together.

The problem is, part of learning how to play together is ironing out potential fights and disagreements. My twins had a knack for wanting what the other one had (never mind that they had plenty of other options).

So, one of the tricks I use in these situations is to set a timer. I use our oven timer, setting it for 15 minutes or so at a time, which allows one twin to play with the favorite toy. Once the timer beeps, they both know to pass the toy to the other.

Rather than forcing them to give up the toy in the name of “sharing,” they both get equal turns back and forth.

Expert tip

Bring out toys that promote sharing. Playing with wooden blocks, building a fort, or tossing a ball to each other are activities they can do together.

Learn the benefits of having fewer toys.

3. Separate your twins

Despite their bickering, multiples somehow still find ways to spend most of their time together. So much so that they might not even see being apart as a real alternative.

When things have escalated and no amount of talking about how they feel works, encourage your twins to spend time apart. This lets them know that they always have the option of walking away and spending time alone when the fighting gets too much.

Separating them can also be a good idea when you notice one twin getting irritated with the other. They may not be able to articulate the desire for alone time, so separating them can be one way to avoid the arguments.

Get more tips on how to stop kids from fighting.

4. Get out of the house

The thought of getting out of the house only for your twins to fight in public may not be appealing. Still, I’ve found that stepping outside is one of the best ways to get them to stop arguing.

A change of scenery can be all they need to recharge their moods. Being outside also allows them to burn energy that may have been cooped up in your home.

You don’t need to go on crazy adventures—playing in the backyard or taking a walk around the block can do the trick. And if it’s not possible to step outside, try a different room instead. If my twins are fighting in the living room, I’ll have them play in their bedroom.

5. Be consistent with boundaries

A common cause of sibling rivalry, especially with twins, is inconsistency. We implement rules one day, then let them fly the other. Sometimes we do so for good reason: we can only take so much and need to pick our battles.

But if we make consistency the exception instead of the norm, we run the risk of kids feeling confused about what to do. Your twins probably aren’t set on deliberately defying rules or upsetting you (even though sometimes it feels that way!). Instead, they may not know how to behave.

As difficult as it is to follow through with consequences or talk about their behavior, try to stay consistent with doing so.

Internalizing moral character and knowing how to behave takes time and—you guessed it—consistency. The more they hear the message and learn how to behave, the more likely they’ll stop fighting.

Conclusion

Sibling fighting is inevitable and hard enough, but having twins can be even more difficult to manage. They’re the same age, going through the same milestones and interests. You feel like you’re drowning in overwhelm, and the constant bickering and refereeing doesn’t always bring out the best in you.

Changing behavior takes time, too. While it may not seem like you’re making progress, improving habits and learning new ways to handle conflict can be a slow process for your twins. Keep that in mind when it feels like nothing is working.

In the meantime, do what you can to prevent and manage your twins fighting. Acknowledge both sides and avoid labeling one as the victim and the other the perpetrator. Set a timer to teach turn-taking, and if need be, separate them for a brief period so they can cool off.

Reset the mood by bringing them out of the house, or even to a different room. And finally, be consistent with boundaries, even if it’s easier to cave in. The more consistent you can be, the more they can understand your expectations.

Raising twins doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending cycle of fighting, especially over who gets to use Superman next.

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