Wrestling Brothers, Driving Mom Crazy!

I only have one girl, so I don't really have that problem although she can get pretty crazy at times. I don't know if this would work for you, but I like to let her get it out of her system so we had a talk about what is apropriate in different times and different places. She's only 3 1/2, but she seems to have understood just fine. She knows when it's ok and when it isn't...

I have 6 children, 4 of them are boys. Wrestling drives me nuts too, but if you aren't consistent, they will continue to do it. There really is no other answer. It also seems to be something that requires the Dad to step up and do the disciplining or at the very least, you BOTH have to be on the same page and be consistent together. For some reason, boys usually listen to Dad better. Maybe not. When they are rambunctious (spelling?), I make them go outside.

I just make sure my kids know that inside activities are different than outside activities and that they need to respect my house as such. They usually do.

This probably does not help much, but what can ya do with boys and such high energy. :) Good luck!

My girlfriend has 3 boys and they are always going at it with eachother one of her boys is in scholl and you'd think he'd be a big bully but he's not. He does not even stand up for himself at school. but at home he fights alot. He does not hurt his brothers it's more of a closness playtime thing they share. she lest them do it but if someone gets hurt there all on time out no matter who got hurt even the one who got hurt is on time out and they don't get babied for being hurt either becuase it was there choice to play the rough. her boys are great and they are very respectful. I think all boys do this but if it srats getting violent I'd seperate them. but think of it this way, at least they are letting there energy out in a restricted environment and they'll get used to staying in the house to do it rather then go outside and climb on the roof. I know yours are still to young for that but man the things my brother used to come up with when we were young would amaze you. There just kids. I'd get them a floor mat for christmas of I were you. LOL

I think you should designate a wrestling time, you know like naptime,or quiet time. Then you should setup NO wrestling zones and if they wrestle in those zones they get a time out or whatever discipline you use. I have three older brothers and they always wrestled but they knew where they could and could not wrestle. They only wrestled in their room or outside. You need to remember that they are boys, if you cut the wrestling off entirely then they will act out and get into trouble. Boys need that outlet. I hope this helps. Good luck

Do you have this problem with them when you are outside your house? When they go to a friend or relatives house, do you notice them doing this a lot?
Unless it is a behavior problem outside your home, I wouldn't be concerned personally. My son has always been a very loud, physically playfull type child... loves to wrestle, tickle, etc. and yells most of the time he is doing it. However, he is also one of the quietest and best behaved in his 2nd grade class. I think what is most important is teaching them WHEN the time is right and when it isn't... when you are trying to talk to them, they need to stop and listen... when you are in a store, they need to act human and not like monkeys, etc. etc. When you are home, they are playing freely while you cook dinner... what does it hurt? The same as, you are snuggling on the couch with your husband watching tv... they should know that it is allowed at this time, but only in their bedroom where it doesn't interfere with what you or someone else in the house is doing.

I can completly understand what you are going through. I have three boys of my own 6, 3 and 2 and they are wrestlers as well. I struggled for a long time with it and I finally started to realize that if I teach them that wrestling is ok but "fighting" is not accepted. Meaning I will let them bring out some big overstuffed pillows and put them on the living room floor move things around so that they have an area that is free of breakables and let them go at it (supervised of course) for about 20 minutes and then tell them that the referee (me) has other things to tend to in the house so it is time for a break, then they understand. It is up to the oldest to help out with understanding this. I have learned that you can not stop boys from wrestling just teach them what is safe and what is not. (ETC. no necks, no face and no hitting)
Hope this helps!!

E.,
I too am raising boys, ages 3, 2 and awaiting the arrival of #3 any day now. I too worry about the constant wrestling. My eldest boy's preschool teacher told me not to worry about the wrestling so much, as long as it doesn't become aggressive. Boys need rough housing. This is a form of communication for them that us girls/women do not need or understand. Even adult men when they greet one another, do so in a physical manner. (slapping backs, bumping chests ...)If you haven't read Raising Cain yet, I would highly suggest you get yourself a copy.
In our house, we have rules for safe wrestling. We call it dog pile and it involves pulling all the couch pillows onto the family room floor in a pile. It definitely makes a mess, but I have found that with this regular intense input, in a soft and safe environment, the boys are much happier and more inclined to listen to me when I tell them this is not wrestle time.
Good luck. I hope you find something that will work for you and your boys.

I was raised with 3 brothers. We wrestled a lot...all in fun. None of us kids were bullies at school or anywhere.

I wrestle with my 13 year old son. I see nothing wrong with it. My son now wants to join the wrestling team at school.

I'd suggest a specific time, when you or dad can supervise. Set rules so no one gets hurt or mad. It might just wear them out so that they will go to bed with less problems!