1/17/12

Brothers

Andrew set up a school for Patrick and it was so cute it hurt my heart-complete with gym class (run around the house 3 times then do stretches) and reading time, and coloring lessons.

I just love when my kids get along.  I have to remember these moments because sometimes it seems they can't be in the same room together without some sort of argument breaking out.  These two can be great friends but Patrick can be quite demanding when it comes to playing things HIS way.  Youngest child syndrome?  Maybe.  They are more adaptable in many ways, but in other ways I think they make up for that in exerting their "right" to do things their way when they can.  We are working on that one.

26 comments:

  1. Love those tender moments i witness between my kiddos. I thank God every day for the gift He gave them in each other.sweet picture of your babies.

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  2. For my birthday last week, I told my 4 kids that I want a day of no fighting! I heard my Mom say that and always thought, no way, wont be me.

    With boys, I think it so very often comes down to roughhousing for play, and it always ends in tears here, whether from being too rough, or someone ending early, or what have you. My sibling stories that are the funniest to this day are the roughest brother wrestle matches, so I hope someday my kids will laugh at all this, too.

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  3. My 4 were normal siblings growing up and got along and argued like everyone else - I had 2 boys and 2 girls so a little less roughhousing and a little more hormones and tears. Now with husbands and wives and children of their own most of the time they get along and when they do it is heaven but when they don't it can be a little more tricky when partners are involved! Each stage it seems brings its own blessings!

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  4. I remember when mine played schools - how cute is it to watch.

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  5. I grew up in a family of 4 and remember those times as well. We laugh about them now. Even with just two we've been through that. Now that we have just one at home, I'll admit there are times I miss the chaos.

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  6. Those Kodak moments are the best! (And far and few between.) There's usually some good ones right before Christmas! My husband insists he never fought with his brothers. I think his memory is foggy. Either that or it was the age difference - I think there are 4-5 years between each one. He expected no sibling rivalry and infighting. I think it's natural. I see the moments where that deep love emerges - the kind of love you can have for no one except a sibling - and it touches me to the core.

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  7. I have 3 siblings. There are 3 of us girls and one poor boy. It's a wonder we all survived to adulthood! The things we did to my poor brother (he was 2nd of 4) probably justified his killing us, but somehow we're all still here.

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  8. I find great solace in the fact that even though my four siblings and I fought like crazy growing up, we get along so well now. On our very tough days (which seem like most of them), I try to remember this.

    I used to bring home extra worksheets from school and play school with my siblings and cousins. I thought I was preparing to teach a class of thrity. Funny, how instead I'm teaching my own three at home.

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  9. Uh oh. I ask for everyone to get along on Mother's Day and I only have 2 kids...but they can fight like 4!

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  10. My husband and I were just talking about this last night. Our boys are 3 and 4 and we decided that it's just a matter of time before the fighting really turns ugly. They fight nonstop about anything possible and really just need some alone time once in a while....but they refuse do separate! They have grown so close that one refuses to do anything without the other. Frustrating at times but I guess that's exactly what we hoped for in having them so close. Can't wait until the high school yrs when all 5 will be teenagers at the same time! Yikes!!

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  11. I come from a family with nine kids. My sister and i were either best friends or enemies. I still have scars on my hands where she used to grab me and scratch me! I now have six kids and she has five. We talk almost every day on the phone. She is my best friend. As I watch my kids I have to constantly remind myself that they will one day grow up and be best friends too... I hope!

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  12. I grew up in a family of six kids. All I remember were the happy times. When my own children started fighting...I was complaining to my mother, and she told me there were days she had wondered if we were going to make it to adulthood alive. Well, we did and we are all super close. Sibling arguments are healthy and teach you to deal with annoyances in the real world!

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  13. I'm relieved to hear you say so. After this three day weekend, I totally wondered if we were the only family who just could not get along :). Glad we all have those days and the great ones to remember!

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  14. I have 2 girls and only 1 boy. I'm thinking things may get emotional more than anything else around here :)

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  15. That is so sweet.

    I have two girls and they get along for the most part, but sometimes they just really do something that I think is just sooo sweet...like braid each other's hair or snuggle...and I just go all warm and fuzzy.

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  16. Sarah, This is why I love to read your blog. My newly 5 and 2.5 year old fight all day long. Of course there are nice moments of getting along sprinkled in but it is heavily outweighed by the former. Some days I wonder what in the world I am doing wrong as a mother. Today I am so thankful to read this from a mother I respect. Thanks!

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  17. This makes me feel (a little) better that every time I turn my back my 2.5 year old son heads straight for the 7 month old son's face and tries to mangle it in a variety of ways.

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  18. I only have one sister but now have five little ones of my own. It's been so interesting for me to watch as their relationships with one another grow and change as different seasons come and go. Great post, Sarah!

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  20. So true. Any advice for those sibling spats? Do you normally step in or keep your distance?

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  21. So glad to know that I'm not the only mom whose kids sometimes love being together...and well, also have those other times that are SO challenging!

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  22. Are your boys super competitive like mine. If they could just play a game without the winner gloating and the loser in tears. Don't they get there HAs to be a winner and a loser? :) But there are sweet moments too. I was hoping it would stop when they were your kids ages. Bummer :)

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  23. Thanks! I have two boys and well, the same as the above comments. Most days its fighting but those moments they play so lovingly is so precious. I had two older brothers who were at each other's throats and well, still are so it makes me sad. I want them to be best friends so much but that is not in my control.

    When you are in another room and come into the fighting and don't know how it started or who is right or what not, what do you do? Often, one gets physical out of a territory issue and then the other one joins in. I basically just take the toy away or remove them from the room but would love to hear your take.

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  24. I'm at the phase that I never EVER think "Gosh, they fight alot" I'm at a point where they really all do play well together and I'm always so thankful! I hope that, even though life changes as they get older, they'll always have that sibling bond :) Great post!

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  25. YES. This is my life right now.

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  26. my kids fight like cr-aaaaaa-zy!
    BOO.
    but then they love each other hard too.
    :)
    it wears me out!

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