Things You Probably Shouldn’t Do When Your Kids Form An Alliance
Posted By Amy on November 23, 2005
My two oldest are 3 yrs. and 4 months apart in age. Which means that they are close enough to argue and side up with one another against their parents. This means that I have to constantly be watching for the tell-tale signs that they have joined forces and are using their powers for evil instead of good.
This is probably an alliance that would put foaming-at-the-mouth survivors to shame… and always ends up getting either my husband, myself, or both of us voted off the island. Never a pretty sight.
I’ve compiled a list of things to avoid doing when you’ve been ganged up on by your own children:
- Don’t scold one in the presence of the other – it only guarantees mutiny. Example:
Me: “Don’t roll your eyes at me.”
Sibling (not in trouble at the moment): “He didn’t roll his eyes at you – I was looking right at him!” - Asking stupid questions is never a good idea either. “Did she just slam her door?” reply – “I didn’t hear anything.”
- Don’t say something like, “What is up your brother’s butt?” after sending his sister in to change clothes twice. Guaranteed she’s incredibly ticked at you and will probably only say, “I don’t think HIS butt is the problem, mom.”
The only real solution here is to punish one for something the other did while completely ignoring their protests (and attempts of the guilty party to claim responsibility for their actions.) It’s an age-old divide and conquer strategy that works 98% of the time. When you manage to hang guilt on an innocent party it almost always guarantees the innocent party becoming completely, murderously, livid with the guilty party – as soon as they are at each other’s throats balance and proper control will once again return to the household.
I have expereinced this also. The times that all three are getting along, and being peaceful are the most terrifying. I know that they are plotting to overthrow the current regime (hubs and I) and institue their own 3 part government. It makes me want to hide in my room with the covers over my head. Be afraid, be very afraid.
OK, NOW THAT’S HIALRIOUS!!!!
I never thought of it like that, but you’re right.
I always have alliances springing up here from one moment to the next. The Chatterbox and The Entrepreneur tend to be allies most of the time. The two oldest boys are allies much of the time, and the two youngest?..they get away with murder……….hehehehe
The Diva is a stickler for the rules. Everything has to be done one way, the perfect way…unfortunately everyone gets aggravated with her prefectionism and so most of the time, she stands alone! Poor Baby!! She does well though, definitely lawyer material. And me you ask???
After all is said and done, it’s my kingdom and I reign here!!!!!!!
That was AWESOME! Heh. My brother and I were two years and two days apart (I was older) and that tactic sounds vaguely familiar.
Crazy Lady LOL – It makes me all the more thankful that I have a huge age gap between the 2 and third kid. If there were three of them we’d be outnumbered!!!!
Supermom I don’t know how you do it. I don’t think I’m woman enough to reign over that many subjects!!!
Zube It’s funny, because I don’t recall my sister or I ever forming an alliance – we were almost 4 years apart so there must be a cut off of 3 1/2 years for a successful alliance. Or… it could be that same-sex siblings just are not capable of forming alliances. ;o)