There they go again, screaming and fighting over the last slice of pizza and that same stuffed toy. How often do you have to play referee between your kids?

For parents, quarrelling siblings are a constant source of annoyance. As much as you would not want to have your children at each other's throats all day, sibling rivalry is very common and absolutely normal. But as a parent, you should know how to deal with sibling friction to cleverly turn feuds into opportunities for harmony and growth. Check out five positive ways of managing sibling rivalry.

Portray sibling harmony as an important aspect of the entire family.

Explain to your kids that the family is like a team. And like every good team, all the members— dad, mom, and the children—need to maintain harmony and work together to have a loving and peaceful home. Tell them that any fights and disagreements among family members can disrupt the peace of the entire team or the family.

Your punishments should be private.

If a squabble between siblings calls for the need for punishment, then you must not make the conversation public. Talking openly about punishment can embarrass a child in front of their siblings, creating a wider gulf between them. Next time you have to teach a lesson — avoid making an announcement.

Step in to mediate

Some parents think that it is best to let their children resolve conflict on their own. It may be true in some cases, as long as your kids know how to manage disagreements in a positive, peaceful, and constructive way. But if the dispute keeps escalating, leading to physical or verbal aggression, you should intervene immediately. Step in and clear that aggression and tell your kids that any kind of aggression is not acceptable.

Listen to both sides.

Every disagreement will always have two sides. Make sure you are listening to both of them without interruption or judgment. Children often feel better after venting to their parents about a problem, especially when they feel their problems are heard fairly.

Treat your children fairly, not equally.

As a parent, you probably stress a lot aboutfairness, but being fair does not always mean equal. It is essential to note that rewards and punishments should be carefully tailored as per the individual needs of your children. For instance, you don't have to get the same toy for both your children. Instead, get them different toys that suit their interests. Such fairness goes a long way.

You cannot prevent siblings from fighting. But you should teach them these positive problem-solving techniques to maintain peace and harmony.