Small children attacking each other

We might have to get back to our tactics of "watching paint dry" and pencil museums. It seemed to be very effective on the recent school shoes issue.

Sorry my last response was in response to Anya's "Kiddies on the loose." exams are nearly over they will start in earnest.

Am I right in thinking parents can smack but no one else?

I always found a loud "Oi!" was effective. Kids know when they're being naughty. Mostly.

True, Bags. I had occasion to yell 'Oi!' and give my 'nana look' a few times yesterday when boisterous 6 year olds were wrestling each other to the ground (one got hurt), kicking the ball into next door's garden, chucking said ball onto the garage roof to see if it would roll off or not, and charging through the flowerbeds whilst claiming 'we're allowed.' 'You're not much fun today, nana' complained the boys when I grassed them up to mum and clarified the rules i.e. not allowed to do any of those things. They acknowledged they already knew, but thought it was worth testing with me Sheepish looks, apologies and cuddles and mum promised withdrawal of privileges if they didn't comply. I can't see where a smack, however light, would make sense when telling children they shouldn't hurt each other or behave badly. My grandchildren would definitely see the hypocrisy in that.

Yes, 'Oi!' In a certain tone works well for me too. Now that they're too old for the naughty step it's morphed into the 'thinking step' so if the first or second 'Oi!' doesn't work then they're invited to sit there until they figure out what Nana's on about.

There's no time set but they have to come to me and explain why they're there. Dubious explanations get them sent back to re-examine their behaviour which puts the ball firmly in their court.

It's funny to watch their faces as the eventually accept that the will have to own up to their bad/unthinking/over boisterous behaviour before they can be 'released'

Good tip anya will bear that one in mind as GS currently 3 years gets older. He already 'tries it on' with me but is heartbroken if I tell him off!

Young children have to learn.Too many parents want to be friends with their own children. it doesn't work.

We all know that violence begets violence and solves nothing but when a furious 6 year old is breaking her small sister's arm, silly me didn't think of reasoning with her, just stopping her immediately.

And although violence begets violence small children who have never had a hand lifted against them still manage to inflict pain on others and aren't very impressed by being asked nicely to stop.