Sibling Give and Take

I didn’t realize that arguments between siblings started so early.  Preston, 5, and Emory, 2, obviously love each other, so why is it that they have already begun fighting?  I thought that I had a couple of years left before the sibling fights began.

What sets them off?

Toys - Preston has a toy that Emory wants or Emory has a toy that Preston wants.

Phone/iPad - Who gets to play what and when?

Chair - Preston knows all too well not to sit in Emory’s chair at the table, but he often chooses to do so anyway.  Why does he choose to do this when he knows she is going to throw a fit?  I think he just likes to hear her scream.

Truth be told, I remember fighting with my three older brothers as I was growing up.  “He’s touching me!” was high on the list.  My mom’s favorite was, “He looked at me!”  My kids haven’t started those phrases yet, but we have drawn that infamous “line” that’s not to be crossed.

On the other hand, Preston and Emory are each other’s best friends.  If one is at home without the other, there is a constant search until the missing one comes home.  They tell each other stories and make up silly songs together.  These are the precious times that I wait for when the arguing begins.

Why is it that we fight with the ones we love the most?

Julie Swink is a Sr. Marketing Specialist for Texas Health Resources and Mom of two.