Scripts for Prevention

The best sibling scripts are the ones you use before the fight starts. When you see tension building:

• "I notice you two are getting frustrated. Do you need space or help?"
• "This game isn't working for everyone. Want to change the rules together?"
• "You've played together for an hour — maybe it's time for a solo break."

Prevention works because it catches the conflict at stage one instead of stage five — a fire is easier to manage as a spark than an inferno. Hand kids a few requests of their own, too, like "Can I have a turn when you're done?" When children own the words, they reach for them on their own.