How to keep the kids from fighting?

Kids fight. It's life. They go through different stages. My oldest is 6 and is in this very selfish stage where she seems to think we should all get down and bow to her. She pushes her brother and sister around. I don't really try to stop them. They can figure things out on their own. I only intervene when someone gets hurt or is about to get hurt. They need to learn how to solve these things on their own. If it gets really heated and they don't want to try to make up then I defuse the situation but otherwise they are on the own. They are 6, 5 and 4 and are best friends despite getting into fights (fights that include hitting). That is just how we do things in this house.

Hi Hollie, I'm a mother of 5 kids....3 girls and 2 boys. The best way to avoid too much sibling rivalry is make sure you don't favor one child over the other. You may think now "No way would I ever do that!"....but be forewarned, it happens. It is not done intentionally mind you, but the slightest show of favoritism towards one over the other and the children pick up on that quicker than a blink of the eye. Make sure you include your son in your daily activities with your little girl now. let him sit next to you when you hold her, even help him hold her at times. he'll feel like the big brother he is and feel useful, included and a brotherly protective love will grow out of this being included. ASk him if he wants to change her diaper....lol...of course he'll probably say " EEEEWWW, NO way!!"...but at least he was asked. It'll make him feel important :) Another thing to watch is how you and dad inter-react with each other...do you argue or fight in front of the kids? Raise your voices? Kids mimic what they see and hear....if you keep your arguments and disagreements out of earshot of the kids, then they will grow up in household that doesn't settle differences by fighting about it. Good luck!...and Congrats on the new baby :)