The sad thing is, I should have known nearly all these things. Wasn't I a kid? A sibling? Did I not have parents? Somehow we have to learn it all over again.
Your children will always be totally different, even If they are the same sex. My children (one of each) like different books, TV shows, food, school subjects, and so on. One dances, one plays baseball. Its no doubt a conspiracy to keep us from being bored.
They will fight. No matter what you do. They will fight over the stupidest stuff. They fight over who has the remote on a show they are both watching. They will however defend their sib to the death against anyone else.
While we are on that....sibling rivalry is. My kids compete over whose picture hangs above the other in the living room. The eldest says the younger may receive no privilege or gift at a younger age than his. Last year both got 4.0 one grading period. They argued over whose was better, the one who had all As or the one with a B but getting extra credit for AP classes. Recently I advised a friend to give her daughter another middle name, to match her brother. You will hear about it forever if you don't I warned her.
They don't break as easily as you think they will. I am speaking both emotionally and physically. They fall, tumble and collide and come up smiling. They take emotional blows that would lay us up for weeks and march right back again.
They are great company. I thought as a kid my parents took us to things because it was their duty. Not till I had kids of my own did I learn how much pleasure it was to visit a favorite place with them, or watch a favorite film through their eyes.Right now I am travelling alone and while I am enjoying the quiet, I keep thinking I should be sharing this with them.
When you bring that newborn home, never mind what the doctor said about breast vs bottle or schedules; if they are screaming and the diaper is dry they are hungry feed them. If they refuse the breast and are still screaming they are hungry and frustrated. Feed them.
They will when you least expect it surprise you with their courage, their compassion, and their maturity.
It really does hurt you more than it does them.
You will worry. Always.
Wow. This is so nicely put. My daughter is only 19 months old, and already she is good company. And I can tell it's going to get better and better.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for joining in for Theme Thursday! I hope you'll continue to join us!!!
Thank you I hope to join in as much as I can.
DeleteI liked this. especially the intro. why do we have to learn it again? I remember my mom telling me once, when I asked her why her clothes were so old, that when funds are limited, sure she could pick up a new pair of jeans, but then she would likely pass by some dresses my sister and I would look so cute in. So she would make do, cuz she would rather buy is those dresses. I remember I thought she was a little silly. Now that my son is here. I totally get it. anyway that's what I remembered reading this...
ReplyDeleteIts like the first rime you tell the kids that you can turn this car around.
DeleteThings that will happen, will, even when we do our best. All's well as long as we assure ourselves that we try our best every day!
ReplyDeleteI always say that I can do everything possible as a parent and still have problems,, but if I don't do my best there will be problems so I wiil do the best I can.
DeleteAww, this is such a lovely post! And so so true! I have two boys. They love each other as vehemently as they fight each other. Sometimes I hear them bickering and it's just noise, but other times I hear them and I'm like, wow, they are two little humans figuring out how to work it out, ya know? Then I tell them to go outside because they're being too loud. Lol. Really enjoyed your post. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the kind words. Since I originally wrote this the Boy has gone off to college and the Girl misses him a great deal (not sure yet how the Boy feels). She is however enjoying her chance to be an "Only Child" at last. And it sure is quieter...
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