Catch yourself before solving your children's problems. When a problem arises between siblings and one or both come to you to solve it, stop yourself. Practice using some of these phrases:
1. "You have a problem. Have you thought about how you are going to solve it? Remember, you can't solve a problem by creating a problem for someone else."
2. "You must make a plan. Here is a pencil and paper. When you have figured out a way to solve this you may get up from the table."
3. "Are you asking me to fix this or can you fix it yourself? If I fix it, these are some of the things I will do." (Name at least 2 different ways to solve the problem.) Then, let the children decide what they will do. Never fix for children what they can fix for themselves.