When did your kids start fighting?

[Anonymous]

I have two kids, DD is almost 4 and DS is 1.5. They are just now starting to play together (as best they can at those ages) and so I’m curious: when did your kids start fighting with each other? How far apart are they and do you have kids of different sexes or the same?

[jsmith123]

When the youngest was like, 6 days old, the older one asked to bite him. So like, from the beginning basically.

[Anonymous]

My boys are 10 and 12 and have always gotten along great. I can't recall anything bigger than disagreements, which they work through without fighting.

[Anonymous]

Mine are boys that are 18 months apart. They’re 6 and 4.5 now. Generally they’re great together except for the occasional “I hate you” and “stop copying me”. That’s been going on since they could talk. They don’t typically physically fight, in front of me at least, but occasionally I’ll hear tears and then “don’t tell mom, just do it back to me”.

[Anonymous]

Since day 1. Older despised younger and it became mutual.

[Anonymous]

Two boys, 2.5 yrs apart. It started when the younger one was able to intentionally take toys and gloat about it, so when he was about 2? 2.5? They are a bit older now. Sometimes they are best friends and sometimes they fight.

[Anonymous]

DS age 9 and 11 (21 months apart) never have really fought much. They mess with each other and occasionally bicker a bit but on balance really get along. I can recall two times when one threw something or really lashed out at the other. I think it’s mostly just luck that they have compatible personalities.

My twin sister and I got along great until we were 12 or so then had a rough couple of years, so I probably shouldn’t count my chickens!

[Anonymous]

OP here - these answers are so interesting! Do you think that major (or a lot) of fighting between siblings is somewhat determined by their early relationships?

I never remember being close to my sister as kids and as adults we try but it feels weird. My kids are really sweet together, so I dread them fighting like my sister and I did. I assumed it was coming (hence my question). Now I wonder if this was just our dynamic from a very early age and perhaps my kids will have spats over toys but otherwise get along.

[Anonymous]

jsmith123 wrote:When the youngest was like, 6 days old, the older one asked to bite him. So like, from the beginning basically.

Lol

[Anonymous]

As soon as the little one was walking, talking, and had opinions. Around 2. It’s absolutely exhausting especially with covid restrictions.