Every parent gets to that point if you have kids who squabble all the time. Instead of having the children duke it out, she suggests an alternative. The interesting thing, when you do something like that, is that the children miss each other. Later, ask the children why they were fighting. Another option is going to area family centers, which offer counseling and other help.
Family centers can fill the role of a sympathetic neighbor.
Children are exposed to a new environment and often act differently, she said. In addition, parents have the opportunity to chat with other parents, which helps relieve stress. Sibling conflicts often escalate at the end of summer because kids become bored. Before that happens, there are many options for parents, Ms. Futterlieb said. Limit talk about fears and problems in front of children because they will mirror what they hear.