How to Correct Fighting Children

Way back in September, I wrote a post called “Sibling Fighting Isn’t Funny.” One reader wrote,

“I would love to hear what you do when your kids do argue or fight. Mine don’t say hateful things, or punch each other, but this summer was particularly bad in arguing, taking offense, offending the other in the silly little things. Most of the time they are best friends and will move mountains for each other, but it seems to be that or the extreme opposite, even for just a few moments. I pulled out my Creative Correction book (by Lisa Welchel) and implemented some ideas. We went over and over most of the verses [in your post].

But the reality is, the arguments do happen. We are human and sinful, as are our children, and I can’t imagine that your kids never argue. What it would be very helpful, probably for most of us is the ways you deal with the arguments… Can you give practical ideas on dealing with the arguments please?”

Yes, my kids DO argue! You are exactly right; “we are human and sinful.”

There are many ways to deal with an argument, some of which are good and some of which aren’t. 🙂

1. I can get really mad.
2. I can yell.
3. I can get frustrated.
4. I can ignore it.
5. I can try to figure out why it’s happening.
6. I can calmly and consistently correct them.

If I get mad and frustrated, sometimes it’s because our lives are crazy and stressful—and we’re all feeling the effects, making us lash out in anger and frustration at one another. At times like these, yes, I need to correct them, but I also need to evaluate our schedules, our healthy food intake, our bedtimes, and our outside commitments. Maybe we just need a day of rest and fun!

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones” (Proverbs 15:30).

I can also get frustrated because I feel like I’ve told them and told them, yet they aren’t listening. “If I have to tell you one more time…”

One of the “stinky” parts of parenting is that I have to remember that my children are made of weak, human flesh, just like I am. It takes time and practice for them to learn, just as I also learn things slowly.

I am convinced that one of the reasons God wanted me to have children it because training our children also trains me.

A Key Verse to Memorize

The key verse to remember, whether I’m trying to get my children to stop arguing or any other wrong behavior, is

“The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother” (Proverbs 29:15, NKJV).

Seriously, memorize that!

When my children are fighting and arguing, I cannot choose to ignore the situation. Ignoring them (because I’m tired or don’t want to have to deal with them) will only bring shame upon our home later. Proverbs 11:11 says that a wicked mouth can destroy an entire city, so imagine what it can do to the peace in our home!

Rather, I can teach my children how to be wise in their relationships by using two biblical tools:

1. The Rod
2. Reproof

Angry Fighting and Harming Others

Yeshua tells us exactly what God’s opinion of anger and fighting is:

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ (an Aramaic term of contempt) is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell” (Matthew 5:21-22).

In other words, God considers my child’s anger at his brother to be equal to committing murder!

“Whoever sheds the blood of man,
   by man shall his blood be shed” (Genesis 9:6).

Hitting, punching, biting, and other physical aggression should be answered with a punishment that “fits the crime.” In other words, I firmly believe in quickly and consistently spanking for these sins. Harming others is a capital offense.

Even though arguing and bickering aren’t the same as physically hurting someone else, if I see that words are spoken in anger, a spanking is also an appropriate discipline.

James 4:1-3 says,

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

Fighting comes from lusting for something we don’t have, so in addition to a spanking, it is also appropriate to require my child to make restitution if he stole a toy, to do something kind and giving for his wronged sibling, or maybe to lose a privilege.

Arguing and Disputing

What about arguing that isn’t done in anger, such as disputes over “who was right”?

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Do everything without complaining or arguing” (Philippians 2:3-4, 14).

This is the perfect time for “reproof.” Noah Webster defined reproof as “blame expressed to the face or censure for a fault.”

I might say,

“Child, you were wrong to argue with your brother. You may think your way is ‘right,’ but really, you are being selfish and conceited. You need to humbly let your brother have his way, too. You need to think about him and not just yourself. We will not allow complaining or arguing in this house.”

If this is a first offense, I might have my child start his conversation over again, saying it the right way this time. I also might model a “right way” for him, so he knows what to say and the tone of voice he should use.

In addition to this “reproof,” Scripture clearly tells me how to make the arguing stop:

“Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended” (Proverbs 22:10).

“Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife” (Proverbs 26:20-21).

“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him” (Titus 3:9-10).

An argumentative child should be warned once or twice, and if he continues, he should be sent away to his room, to miss out on the enjoyment and fun the rest of the family is having.

Unkind Words and Teasing

What about unkind words and mean teasing? The Bible clearly says it’s to be silenced.

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise” (Proverbs 21:19).

“Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips” (Proverbs 4:24).

This might be a good time to require the child to sit on a chair for a time, with no talking allowed. Require him to “hold his tongue.”

Mediating Disagreements

I need to be sure to give our children “a way out” by teaching them how to handle disagreements with others.

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

I can take the siblings to Matthew 18:15-17 and have them act it out ahead of time. (Doorposts sells a wonderful “Brother Offended Checklist” that is nice to hang on a bedroom wall.)

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17).

• First, he needs to go to his brother and talk to him, just the two of them in private.
• If his brother listens, they can hug and smile and go on with their day.
• If his brother will not listen, he could find another person in the house to go with him as he goes back to his brother and explains what is wrong.
• If his brother still won’t listen, it’s time to talk to Dad or Mom.
• If his brother still won’t listen, his parents will give him consequences, such as a loss of privileges.

Checking My Own Heart

So let’s review. Rather than just throwing up my hands in despair when our kids sin (because they will sin at times), I need to use a rod and reproof to correct them and give them wisdom. I need to be consistent and intentional in my discipline, rather than reacting in anger or frustration.

And one more thing…

The Bible seems to say that some of the contention in our home has its roots with me, the wife and mother. Not always… but just in case, I have to examine my heart and be sure the kids aren’t learning their behavior from me.

“Better to live on a corner of the roof
   than share a house with a quarrelsome wife” (Proverbs 21:9).

“Better to live in a desert
   than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife” (Proverbs 21:19).

“…a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping” (Proverbs 19:13).

“Better to live on a corner of the roof
   than share a house with a quarrelsome wife” (Proverbs 25:24).

“A quarrelsome wife is like
   a constant dripping on a rainy day;
restraining her is like restraining the wind
   or grasping oil with the hand” (Proverbs 27:15-16).

Oh, yikes… 🙂

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture in this blog post taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.