Jim and I are continually amazed by how totally different our girls are. Same parents, same home, same birthday – but two completely different little people. I’m sure all parents of two children feel similarly, it’s just that watching your kids grow up at the same time can be a mind trip. “Nurture” matters, but it seems that nature is the real dictator.
Despite their different personalities, the one thing they absolutely share is a (healthy?) sense of competition. A half year ago, the girls’ interaction was somewhat minimal. A smile, a touch, a grab of the face. I wondered when the “twin interaction” was going to begin.
At one year, my friends, we’ve entered true gladiator territory. I had no idea sibling rivalry could begin so early!
Most of their daily play ends up in competition. Wrestling matches inevitably result in tears. They are constantly fighting over who gets to climb into my lap, who gets to ride the push car, who gets to carry the xylophone. We’re working on following commands like “Be gentle,” “It’s your turn to share,” “Give nice kisses,” and “Please don’t gouge your sister in the eye.”
Oh toddlerhood, how I look forward to thee…
Sometimes I feel like I’m never meeting either of their needs fully, or that someone is always in a bit of a “mood.” Hopefully all this forced sharing and the results of my split attention will make them more patient. That’s my theory anyway.
However, the girls do share plenty of moments of heartwarming sweetness. These are the moments that make me just adore having both my girls grow up at once. They’re stuck with each other, and even though they already can make each other crazy, I’m pretty sure they love each other too.
Any tips for dealing with sibling rivalry?
Tags: sibling rivalry
