There's a Common Piece of Parenting Advice About Fighting. But It Can't Possibly Apply to What I'm Dealing With.

In the Slate parenting advice column, a concerned parent asks how to manage her young daughters' frequent physical conflicts, particularly when violence arises during sharing. The response emphasizes that while promoting problem-solving skills is important, safety must always be prioritized. The expert asserts that intervening during violent behaviors is essential, akin to societal laws against assault, and advises parents to guide children towards non-violent communication methods. Additionally, understanding the motivations behind a child’s aggressive behavior is crucial for fostering healthier interactions between siblings.

You're doing the right thing by intervening immediately when it comes to violence. Problem solving is one thing, but I'm not familiar with any parenting advice that suggests letting them slug it out.

In situations where violence occurs, it’s essential to intervene and teach children that hitting is not acceptable, mirroring laws that protect individuals from harm.

My layperson-armchair-psychology take is that the two year old is hitting because they are younger and don't feel like they have a non-violent way to assert themselves.

While encouraging problem-solving skills in children is beneficial, safety should always be the priority, and interventions should focus on teaching them non-violent strategies to communicate.

Read at Slate Magazine