is 18months old enough to consciously aim to infuriate someone else.

well our 2 year old definitely knows how to push his 4yo brothers buttons*. But as he’s normally doing it so he can nick big bro’s toys/sweets when the inevitable meltdown happens I wouldn’t call it a byproduct, it’s more of a tactic really.

Some good tips here, i’m currently of the “elder should know better” thing, so he gets more of a telling off, but think I may start going with collective punishment.

*and has been doing so for several months

I went through the whole younger brother winding me up, leading to punch ups.

The elder should know better tactic will turn the younger one into a sociopath and the older one will resent you for it.

Have fun.

My lads are five and six and are constantly scrapping, poking, teasing and generally getting each other into trouble.

When they aren’t doing that they are best friends and woe betide ANYONE who gets between them.

Love this yossarin – exactly my boys too. Wouldn’t have it any other way.