When your kids are at each other's throats, the last thing you'd think to do is force them into a hug. Yet, that's exactly the advice from Justin Whitmel Earley, author and dad of four boys. He calls it the 'Brothers' Hug', a simple but profound habit of reconciliation.

Here's how it works:

1. **Acknowledge and Apologise:** After a fight, you steward the children towards apologising and forgiving each other. The words matter, as they lay the groundwork for what's next.
2. **The Reconciliation Hug:** Once words have been exchanged, you institute the hug. The rule is simple: "You've got to hold on until both of you start smiling again."
3. **From Awkward to Authentic:** What starts as an awkward, forced embrace almost inevitably dissolves into genuine laughter. It's a form of semi-wrestling that breaks the tension. As Earley puts it, "it moves their mind by moving their body."

The magic of this technique is that it's an embodied act of reconciliation. It's hard to stay furious with someone you're physically connected to, especially when the goal is to make each other laugh. It transforms a moment of conflict from a purely verbal (and often insincere) apology into a physical and emotional reconnection.

Earley notes that this isn't just for little ones. The principle applies to all relationships, including with our partners. After an argument, a simple act like holding hands, taking a walk, or giving a proper hug can bridge the emotional gap far quicker than words alone. It's about physically moving towards reconciliation, a powerful lesson for the whole family.