Most of the time, your kids’ bickering is just a power play for your attention.  Here are some tips to help.

1. Stay out of it for as long as you can – unless one of them is going to get hurt.
   
   

2. Don’t take sides.
   
   

3. Remember your childhood.  Did you ever get blamed for things you didn’t do?  Did you ever blame anyone for something you did? 
   
   

4. Punish both. Don’t take sides.
   
   

5. If they are fighting over a toy, put the toy on time-out.
   
   

6. Kids need to work things out for themselves.
   
   

7. They won’t learn coping skills if they are never allowed to cope.
   
   

8. They can’t solve problems if they are never faced with them.
   
   

9. You won’t always be there to settle their arguments.  The best practice is on siblings before going out into the cold cruel world.
   
   

10. They need to learn that regardless of who starts the fight, both will be punished.  DON’T TAKE SIDES.
    
    

They will still bicker and fight – but they won’t bother you with it as much.