Keeping the Peace: How to Handle Conflict in Games and Life
Peer reviewed by Dr. Peter Rawlek, MD & Scott Rollo, PhD
Sometimes, disagreements happen — whether it’s during a game, a group project, or just hanging out with friends. Maybe someone feels left out, a rule gets broken, or people don’t see eye to eye. These moments can be frustrating, but how we handle them makes all the difference. Learning to solve conflicts calmly helps keep games fun, friendships strong, and everyday life smoother.
Why Do Conflicts Happen?
Conflicts usually start when someone feels something is unfair, unsafe, or hurtful. Some common reasons are:
Ignoring rules or agreements: Like not following game rules or group plans.
Excluding others: Leaving someone out of activities or conversations.
Being dishonest or unfair: Saying one thing but doing another, or blaming others unfairly.
Not respecting others’ feelings: Saying or doing things that hurt someone’s feelings.
These moments can cause frustration, hurt, or anger, but they also offer a chance to learn and grow.
What Is Conflict Resolution?
Conflict resolution means fixing problems in a calm and fair way. It involves talking, listening, and working together to find a solution everyone agrees on. Sometimes, you might need help from a teacher, parent, or coach.
Key skills for resolving conflict include:
Knowing your feelings: Understanding when you’re upset or angry.
Seeing others’ feelings: Trying to understand how others feel.
Staying calm: Choosing not to yell or blame.
Making fair choices: Thinking about what’s best for everyone.
Repairing relationships: Saying sorry or forgiving so you can move forward.
How to Solve Conflicts in Games and Life
Talk It Out Calmly:
Use “I” statements to explain how you feel, like,
“I feel upset when the rules aren’t followed because it’s not fair.”
Listen Well:
Hear what the other person is saying without interrupting. Sometimes conflicts happen just because people don’t understand each other.
Find a Fair Solution:
Decide together what’s fair. For example,
Replay a point in a game.
Take turns when working on a project.
Say sorry and agree on how to move forward.
Ask for Help if Needed:
If you can’t agree, ask a trusted adult to help.
Why Conflict Resolution Matters in Life
When you solve conflicts respectfully:
Games and activities stay fun and fair.
Friendships get stronger.
Group projects and teamwork go more smoothly.
You learn important life skills like solving problems, cooperating, and understanding others.
Real-Life Example
Imagine you and a friend both want to use the same computer for a project. Instead of arguing or grabbing it first, you talk about it. Maybe you agree to take turns or work together. This way, no one feels left out or upset, and you finish your project happily.
Time to Reflect
What do you usually do when there’s a disagreement?
Can you remember a time when staying calm helped fix a problem?
What is one thing you can try next time to keep peace in a game or with friends?
The Bottom Line
Conflicts are a part of life, but they don’t have to cause problems. By talking kindly, listening carefully, and finding fair solutions, you can help games, school, and friendships feel safe and fun for everyone.
Next time there’s a disagreement, ask yourself: “How can we fix this so everyone feels good?”