My 8 year old son and 5 year old daughter are so competitive with each other right now and it's driving us crazy. Last weekend, we all drove up to the woods for a day hike. During the drive my kids argued and debated Every. Little. Thing. It was like a mini-Fox News Broadcast: "I have more trees on my side." "No sir, I do." "Well, my trees are taller." "Well, mine are greener." "Oh yeah? Mine have more branches."

By the time we got to our destination, my husband and I were ready to tie them to trees, smear them with honey and flee. We told them to go wherever they wanted, as far from each other as possible, climb wherever, etc. They then proceeded to play together, digging for gold and looking for cool rocks. They weren't more than 5 feet apart the entire time. There was no fighting or arguing or debating. My oldest helped my youngest, no tears and no conflict.
Of course, once it was time to go and 15 seconds after we started the drive back home.... "My rocks are cooler." "I have more water." "I went to the bathroom more." "She touched my Yu-Gi-Oh book."

What is the DEAL? Will they ever outgrow this?

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