Buddies

Almost daily I'm finding that my four children are filled with more similarities and differences. I'm also finding that I use terms like "the big kids", "the girls", "the little girls" habitually.

I've discovered that there are already personality clashes between the kids and some of them know one another's hot buttons more than they should. Sometimes it's pretty funny, like when Gianna goes and takes something that is one of Jonah's beloved items that she KNOWS is going to make him upset. (Yes, she really does that, even at her age) Other times, it's just an act of frustration that gets under my skin. So, I've already devised a buddy system.

I think the big kids get a kick out of when I say things like "spend some time with your buddy" or "entertain your buddy for a minute". I see potential for the buddy system working well in another year when both little girls are mobile and we are out and about, away from home.

While this may change over time as personalities change, right now Jonah is drawn more to Greta and spending time with her. Since Gianna's birth, Lily has been little mother to Gianna and is really good with tending to her little chick. It's not that they don't get along with the other little girl, it's just that right now they have their buddy.

I try and make sure that there isn't any segregation or indifference that keeps them from going beyond just spending time with the one they get along with best. With Jonah being the only boy, he needs the extra encouragement to care for his sisters and try to understand them rather than be frustrated. For instance, I encourage Jonah in learning how to handle Gianna even if they are too similar in personality that they can't be left alone for too long.

It's so endearing to watch them together and getting along. It's very interesting (when it's not frustrating) to see the dynamics between them all and how that works. For the most part, they do all get along really well and coexist together. I'm intrigued to see how this all continues to unfold as time goes by.

I just never know when I'll be caught off-guard when I get to witness a very unlikely sight. There is always the sweetness amidst the conflict of brother-sister antagonizing.