carpool | Sibling Rivalry | Forum

A friend recently reminded me of a darker moment in our family history, although I suppose it was an effective one…

My kids were fighting and I couldn't get them to stop.  Even when I separated them, they twisted into all sorts of slinky positions to kick each other, say exactly the thing that would make someone else screech, etc.

I pulled over.  There was no way I could control what they were doing.  I had started yelling a little bit bit it didn't feel right– that wasn't where this was going.  They had tp understand that this behavior was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.  But how?

So, here is the part that I allowed myself to forget (until my friend reminded me):  I I made them get out of the car.  I made them walk.  They could not ride in my car and fight, so if I couldn't stop the fighting, I could only stop the riding.

I drove slowly next to them for a while, while they walked.  Eventually they got the idea.  They came back in; no more fighting.

I still hate that I did that, though I think it worked and made the point in an effective, non-traumatizing way.  I don't like to think of myself as a parent 'who made their kids get out and walk.'  But I dont in fact regret it.  The point was clear: ride peacefully or don't ride at all.  It worked…