I have the privilege of watching my kids grow up together.
Their faces light up when they see each other and their giggles bounce off one another’s. Although they are their own person, they seem to share a heart. When one is hurting, the other hurts, too. I’m not sure what direction their relationship will go, but for now, they are growing together.
“We may have our differences, but nothing’s more important than family.”
-Coco
Siblings may live separate lives or they may be very much involved in each other’s day-to-day.
Parents cannot determine what path the relationship between their children will take – they can only foster a healthy and nurturing environment for their relationship to grow and bloom.
Whether you are close with your sibling(s) or whether you have chosen to live separate lives, there’s a connection between you. The beautiful thing about this connection is that it can be formed in many different ways.
“Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones that would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.”
-Maya Angelou
My kids are little right now and they’re just beginning to get to know each other. They’re growing, learning, and evolving together, so their relationship is constantly changing.
They are still learning how to communicate with each other. My role as their parent is to promote communication and provide them with the tools to make this possible. I treat every disagreement, quarrel, and difference of opinion as a learning opportunity.
Related: How To Prepare Your Toddler For A New Sibling
I’m not sure what their future will bring and I’m not sure how it will intertwine with each other. What I do know is that you have to seize whatever chance you have to foster a healthy and positive relationship between your children.
Whether you have newborn twins or whether you are welcoming a step-child into your family, encourage that relationship to grow.
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The beautiful thing about growth is that it can develop at any speed and over any period of time. Whether a relationship clicks right away or whether it needs time to evolve, it’s always something that’s worth working towards.
Your sibling is your family connection. No matter the strength of your relationship, you are incredibly lucky to have each other. No matter your differences in views or perspectives, you share experiences and connections that you don’t share with anyone else.
It’s easy to take that for granted.
To my girls, please remember that you always have each other. No matter what path you take and no matter how similar or different it is, remember all that you shared.
