Sibling fights? Here's what to say.
Two kids, one toy, and you are supposed to rule on who is right again. RootWise gives you the words that keep you out of the referee's chair, word for word.
Scripts are free. Chat and library: 7 days free, then a monthly or yearly plan, cancel anytime. iPhone and Android.
Sound familiar?
- The third fight before breakfast, and both want you to rule.
- Whatever you decide, one of them cries.
- You feel like a referee, not a parent.
You don't have to solve the fight. You can coach them through it, and they learn more than from any verdict.
From the app, free
The script for the fight over a toy
Scenario
Two children are fighting, grabbing, or screaming over the same toy.
Ages 2 to 10 years
Sportscaster Approach
Sibling Toy Fight · intermediate · 5 to 10 minutes
What to say
- 1
I see two kids who both want the same toy. That's really frustrating!
- 2
I'm not choosing who gets it. You both want it, I get that.
- 3
The toy's taking a break until you can work this out together.
- 4
When you're ready to figure this out, I'll help you think of ideas.
Why it works
Refusing to pick sides prevents you from becoming the referee and teaches kids to work together. Taking the toy away removes the immediate trigger while they regulate.
The line for you, when you're about to lose it
I don't need to solve this FOR them. I can help them solve it together.
One of 36 scripts, three approaches per scenario, plus what helps before it tips over. Jealousy of the new baby and hitting have scripts of their own. All free in the app.
And when it doesn't go by the script?
Then you describe what happens at your house and get an answer for both kids and their ages. Even on a Sunday at 8 am, during the third fight before breakfast.
Emma (5) and Noah (3) fight over the same blocks every single day. What do I say?
Summary
For Emma and Noah it is probably only partly about the blocks. At three and five, kids can't settle a fight on their own yet; they need you as the translator, not the judge.
What to do
- Name both sides: "Emma, you're upset because you want to finish your tower. Noah, you're upset because you had the blocks first."
- No sides: "I'm not choosing who gets them. You both want them, I get that."
- A break for the blocks: "The blocks are taking a break until you can work this out together." Then a two-minute timer.
- Collect ideas: "Then we'll come back together and you can tell me your ideas." Take turns, split them, or build together: they decide.
The chat is part of RootWise Premium: 7 days free, then a monthly or yearly plan, cancel anytime. The scripts stay free.
Built by Luisa and Philipp
Parents of two who know the 6pm chaos. The same tools we use with our own kids.
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Word-for-word scripts, free
Articles for ages 0 to 10
Answers for your child in the chat
How it goes at the next fight
No chapter to read. One script to open.
Tap the scenario
Fight over a toy, jealousy of the baby, hitting: you pick what is happening right now.
Read the lines as they are
Four short lines for both kids, one line for you. Short enough to read one-handed.
“I'm not choosing who gets it. You both want it, I get that.”
Same again next time
Same words, same calm. Your kids notice that you see both of them, and solve more on their own.
What it looks like in the app
Every scenario with three approaches. You pick what fits your family.
What to say, line by line, plus why it works.
The chat knows your kids' ages and topics.
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Questions parents ask us before downloading
The app and all 36 scripts are free. Chat and library are part of Premium: 7 days free, then $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year in the US App Store. Other countries see their local price in the store. The trial only starts when you confirm it in the App Store or Google Play.
In the subscription settings of your App Store or Google Play account, in under a minute. Cancel during the 7 days and you pay nothing. After that, your access runs until the end of the paid period.
From birth to age 10. Every script names its age range, and the lines are written the way a two-year-old or a seven-year-old actually understands them.
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From RootWise's own scripts and articles, matched to your child's age. The answers are generated by an AI and are not medical or therapeutic advice. Read them the way you would read a suggestion from a well-informed friend, and talk to your pediatrician if you are worried about your child's health.
Yes. You set up each child with their age and topics, and both the scripts and the chat take into account who is involved right now.
What happens after the download
Five questions about your child, then your plan is ready. You create an account at the end.
Tell us a little about your child
Name, age, what is hard right now. Takes about a minute.
See your plan
Three scripts and two topics, matched to your child's age and your moments.
Read the scripts, free
All 36 scripts are free. Chat and library come with a 7-day free trial, if you want them.
The words for the next fight, before it starts.
Download RootWise, set up your kids with their ages and topics, and you have the script on your phone for the next fight over a toy.
Scripts free. Premium: 7 days free, then a monthly or yearly plan, cancel anytime.