Following on from the thread about getting tired looking after grandchildren I would like to ask how others approach the issue of the dcs fighting whilst in their care. I have 2 dgs 9 and 5 and little dgd not quite 2. I mind dg one full day a week and do the school run for the other two. It's the after school bit with the three of them which really gets me down. We can have a lovely chat in the car and all is fine and then once we reach their house it starts - usually the older one winds up his brother until he retaliates or they argue and physically hurt each other over who is having the x box first! DD has laid down rules which they fully understand but still argue with both telling tales about the other etc. All this while I'm keeping an eye on the little one and making sure the dog has gone outside!
I started ignoring it as my husband said they're not 'fighting' it's just what brothers do but felt I had a duty of care to the 5 year old especially and can't ignore them if he is getting hurt. It's got to the point where we can not have all 3 at our house in the holidays as it's just awful and not enjoyable. DD is not lax with her discipline and has raised them all with an expectation of respect for adults but the older one just doesn't seem to remember anything she's said! When we have just the younger two they will do as they are told and calm down if things begin to get out of hand. DD has the same problems at home too and has tried many things to sort it but it's different for us -I don't want my time with them ruined by constantly having to tell them off and mediate! We had 2 boys and a girl ourselves so it's not like I haven't had experience of this situation either!
Old sayings with a theme 2 ( continuing *nanna8*'s thread)