Do you let your kids physically fight?

[Anonymous]

Only within limits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes.

But they have a code word... It's "im not having fun anymore" and everybody has to freeze and the fight is over.

It's stopped the ending badly part and taught self control.

Sometimes on party does not know the other party is getting frustrated or hurt and they are not going to say calmly can we please stop.

I've even heard my boys with other kids say, "hey stop he's not having fun anymore"

It also works with "joshing around" verbally. Trash talk is fun until it's not. You need to learn when you have crossed the line from funny to rude.

Oh I like this strategy. I'll have them come up with a safe word tonight and we'll practice freezing.

[Anonymous]

No. Are you crazy or lazy?

[Anonymous]

OP, does your husband have brothers? Go ask him.

[Anonymous]

I let the kids wrestle, but they’ve never tried to throw punches (but I only have one boy). We frequently have the conversation about when to stop, when to tell if the other kid is not having fun and the biggest one…if you play rough you might get hurt.
I’m ok with it in our pretty safe basement, which also means I don’t have to witness too much

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not! My daughters would never be allowed to partake in such brutal activity. Especially because my eldest is so frail. Goodness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rough housing has been written about that it’s actually good for kids

I’ve read this too, but I wasn’t convinced.

[Anonymous]

No way

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Are you crazy or lazy?

At least a little of both. But it looks like I'm not totally alone in that based on the responses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely not! My daughters would never be allowed to partake in such brutal activity. Especially because my eldest is so frail. Goodness.

I can't tell if this is satire or not. If it isn't, I'm sorry if your eldest has health problems. I definitely wouldn't allow fighting in that case either.

[Anonymous]

My husband and his brother still roughhouse and they’re well into their 40s.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Yes, of course my boys wrestle. I usually step in and stop it when they throw punches, though they are usually giggling and having fun while they do it, if anyone starts crying, then we stop.

[Anonymous]

We allow it, as long as nothing gets out of hand.

Usually ends with them laughing like crazy anyways. I don't mind, as long as no one gets seriously maimed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rough housing has been written about that it’s actually good for kids

This, I allow my girls to fight and sometimes join in. My 6 year old loves to fight with me (I only tickle and blow raspberries on the belly) but it's really fun for us all and encourages them to exercise, which they don't get enough of.