Unfortunate truth.

The cleaner my house is, the more the kids have been fighting.  If they can't solve their problems civilly, that is, without saying things like "I hate you" and "I wish you were never born", without squeezing in a good sucker punch, or without requiring mother's intervention, those involved acquire an extra chore for the day.  My house isn't immaculate.  I guess that's a good sign.   But it ain't a wreck, either.