Thing Two *sitting on the toilet* : Mommy I on the potty, ok.
Thing One *standing over sink brushing his teeth*: DON'T SAY POTTY!
Thing Two *singing voice*: POTTY! POTTY! POTTY!
Thing One *annoyed and yelling*: NO STOP! STOP SAYING POTTY! MOOOOOOOMMMMMMMY!
Me *Sigh*: Both of you stop. Thing Two finish going potty and stop saying potty. Thing One doesn't want to hear it. Thing One, just ignore your sister and finish brushing your teeth.
Now I am certain this is normal for those of you who have had siblings growing up. The fight over who is mom's favorite, the one that gets the attention. It's a constant battle of what is yours and what is mine. Trying to fit in, where you can get in. That was not my experience. I was an only child for the most part. My parents had me and I had a slew of half siblings that were far older than I. As a matter of fact I had nieces and nephews either older or a few years younger than I. I was what people refer to as a lonely only. I often longed for siblings close to my age to play with. Often I would watch families with children close in age with envy. For the most part I play referee trying to understand how a simple thing like a look or word can send them over the edge.
I guess it is safe to say that I am learning along with my children what the sibling experience is all about. Who would have known it was going to be this hard to just have them get along. Sure they get along like the picture above but and that is what gives me hope. When one is without the other they ask where they are and if they are ok, and how much they miss their sibling. It gives me hope that someday down the line the fights will be few and the love will be plenty.
Is there something that you never experienced growing up that you have had to learn now as a parent?
 |
| This is NORMAL. |
