Grrr to school mornings
By Fleur
@Fleura (34943)
United Kingdom
November 11, 2015 4:32am CST
This morning got off to a good start, I was up a bit earlier than usual because my partner had to leave early to travel for work. Then the girls woke up of their own accord in plenty of time so we were actually able to take time reading stories, getting dressed, dancing around to music, doing hair, eating plenty of breakfast, getting necessary things together and even doing a bit of music practice. It looked as though we might actually have enough time for a leisurely walk to school and then on to nursery. It’s a nice autumn morning here and the girls prefer walking as we can take time to chat about all sorts of things on the way.
But at the last minute things started to go wrong. Little One wants to do everything herself and gets cross if people try to help her before she has asked for it or do things she thinks she should be doing. So she refused help from Big One to put her boots on, but then had to ask for help anyway as she couldn’t do one of them up. And when she was meant to be getting herself ready to leave she was too busy wasting time by shouting at Big One that she should be the one to turn the stereo off and telling us all to ‘Go away!’ before finding that she couldn't reach all the switches anyway. Those crucial few minutes make all the difference between a pleasant walk with time to talk, and rushing, puffing and panting, up the road before shoving Big One through the school gates and telling her to run so she won’t be late for registration. So I got cross, bundled them in the car instead and drove them to their respective destinations in angry silence.
Honestly I had hoped that with 6 years between them I would avoid the sort of sibling bickering that I can’t stand, but it isn’t always the case.
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2015.
10 people like this
10 responses
@Beatburn (4286)
• Philippines
12 Nov 15
I have two girls, 3 years apart. It's the same thing. They love and hate each other in several occasions in a minute.
I can relate. I read somewhere that we just need to keep being there for them and reminding them. The mean girl thing will pass... I'm still waiting.
Your Little one reminds me of my little one.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
11 Nov 15
Mine were 5 1/2 years apart and they have always bickered and when the older one became a teen, she started treating her little brother like a disease. I think closer is better, but kids will always bicker, I don't think you can avoid it.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
11 Nov 15
I am actually finding that the closer they are in age, the better they get along. My twins are best friends with each other, but argue with the other kids frequently. The younger two are 18 months apart and are best friends, but they don't get along with the twins. The oldest, who is 10 years older than the youngest, is allright with the littler boys but fights like crazy with the twins who are 5 years younger than him.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
11 Nov 15
@Fleura Yes, I get your meaning, and you're probably right.
I do think though that when they get older they'll appreciate each other more. I have no siblings and I wish I did. I see all of my friends are very close to their siblings in adulthood, their siblings are their best friends. I don't have a best friend or a sibling.. so that makes it tough. Your kids will have that though when they get older.
2 people like this
@Fleura (34943)
• United Kingdom
11 Nov 15
I'm sure individual personalities come into play as well, and perhaps if there are more of them then the closer ones feel more of an affinity against the others, if you see what I mean! A bit like the way one fights with one's siblings at home, but will often defend them from outsiders.
@Fleura (34943)
• United Kingdom
11 Nov 15
@katsmeow1213 That's true (I hope). I don't have any siblings either but I don't mind that at all, I have many good friends. And siblings are not necessarily good friends, I certainly know some who are not at all friendly and others who simply have nothing in common (including an acquaintance who has a twin brother and simply has nothing at all to say to him). And there are other advantages. In fact I think I should write a post about that because this reply will be far too long otherwise!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
11 Nov 15
Oh my, poor you! This is how a peaceful morning is transformed in a battleground. There are only two years between my younger brother and I. We did not fight when we were young, I will say until I was about 12 years old, then the problems started.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169439)
• United States
11 Nov 15
At six years apart they both think they should be the oldest or the only. It is hard. I can totally sympathize as I have visions of my then two year old (now 38 year old) crawling backwards under a bench in the dressing room when we were trying to get ready to go swimming. Because he wanted to do it all himself.
1 person likes this
@softbabe44 (5815)
• Vancouver, Washington
12 Nov 15
I think that this is somethingthats something thats a delicate situation i hope things get better.
1 person likes this
