Yesterday afternoon, I heard AM crying a particular cry. It means that Miss M is bothering him in some way. Because we were literally about to leave the apartment, I knew they were waiting at the door, so I guessed there was some physical altercation–along the lines of her pushing him down and essentially sitting on him. This makes him unhappy. I proceeded to screw up, as usual, and gave her an earful of negative attention.
But this morning, after his breakfast, he marched into her room, babbling, and climbed into her bed, which woke her. I peeked in and saw them snuggled together under her comforter, and she was reciting Curious George and the Firefighters to him. I don’t want to ruin it–I am not even going to remind her to pee. (Although I hope she gets out of bed if she has to go!)
I suppose it’s normal to see the two sides of sibling relationships, even at this age. Right? (Please say yes, because an hour later she was stepping on his hand.)
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May 12, 2008 at 10:15 am
Suzanne
Yes, perfectly normal. My kids go from perfect harmony to squabbling to outright physical altercations to resumed harmony within a matter of minutes.
May 12, 2008 at 10:57 am
caramama
Oh, yes. I remember so clearly the childhood sibling relationship. The good stuff definitely outweighs the bad in my mind. The fighting was never that bad compared to the love and fun we had.
May 12, 2008 at 6:01 pm
ccw
Since mine are the same age, I will say that it is 110% normal.
I go with the idea that as long as there is good to balance out(or be more) the bad then things are going well.
May 15, 2008 at 8:40 am
LC
Absolutely normal. And if you start now with making them work out the stupid little squabbles (whining about who did what, turn-taking, whatever) themselves without *your* input (other than maybe taking the THING in question until they come to you united with a plan for sharing), you can lessen the nonsense down the road. It will still happen, (my oldest are 8 & 10) but they start to know better –
‘if we can’t agree, Mommy’s just going to take it away, so come here, I might as well bribe you’ is the true content of what I’ve heard the oldest say to a sib. on occasion. And as he’s a smart kid, he offers cheap bribes.
May 15, 2008 at 10:14 pm
B
I think it’s great that you at least get the sweet. My sister and I are good to go now, and have been since I was 17 but before that? Man, she was nothing but tart to me.