"I Like You Because..."

Imagine having two sweet kids 3.5 years apart who spend the majority of their days together just pestering the life out of other one. Oh wait..... I bet that takes no imagination at all. I bet you all have kids no matter the age difference that just love to see the other one riled up. We have tried several methods of appropriate torture discipline to try and stop the constant bickering. We know it will never come to a complete hault, but learning to get  along with others starts at home and is a skill needed all through life. So how are we going to teach this to them? Sending them to their rooms, not effective. Taking away privlages, not working. Adding a few extra miserable chores to their Saturday list, no go. C-Dog has a habbit of kicking himself when he's down. When he does that I make him say 3 positive things about himself, just like My Sis-in -Law Bec does when I get that way. This morning when it got really bad again I sent them to the couch to hold hands for a LONG time. They immediatley began a game of rock, paper, scissors, with their free hands. Oh good I thought, it's working, they are getting along. Daddy heard them and watched my struggle to get things calmed down between them and quickly offered them a deal. I am usually not a fan of bargaining. The consequence is the consequence! Turns out that smart man I married stumbled on to something great. He ran with the previous 3 positives and offered them an early release from the couch if they could list 10 things they like about eachother. Brilliant Daddy-0! I thought ten a bit much until I realized the first five were going to be fluff anyway.  I was super impressed with what they came up with about #6. Sincere real things they had to actually think about. The rules of the game consist of looking eachother in the eye while holding hands, and starting each compliment with "I Like You Because.."  Daddy left the room while this was happening came in saying  " it's my turn " and complimented me on filling the soap dispenser in the master bath,  sealing it with a kiss. I returned the favor by complimenting Daddy's kissing ability as he headed out the door for work. Mainly to embarrass the little tykes. That worked like a charm too:) A little while later I was amazed at how well they were getting along while playing the Wii.  The compliments were flying. Way better than fists and ugly words.