Parenting can be a delightful experience, and for me, it often includes managing the delightful chaos of my three kids. They share laughter, engage in games, and genuinely care for each other. Yet, like any siblings, they have their moments of bickering—much like the classic tale of Cain and Abel, which is basically sibling rivalry 101.
I can still recall the playful arguments I had with my brother growing up, despite our general harmony. I remember the petty disputes about fairness, and the classic call for parental intervention, “Mom! Jamie’s touching me!” It’s funny how I didn’t understand my mother’s exasperation back then. Now, I completely get it.
My children have a knack for squabbling over the most trivial issues. Here are their all-time favorites:
Who Received More?
Whether it’s a drop of juice, a spoonful of ice cream, or even a crumb of a cookie, my kids have an uncanny ability to gauge who got the bigger portion—just by looking! The moment one feels slighted, it’s always, “Why did she get more than meee?” My go-to response? “Because I love her more. Duh!” A quote I adore comes from Louis C.K.: “The only time you look in your neighbor’s bowl is to make sure that they have enough.” Boom! Mic drop for the kids.
Who’s Turn Is It?
“It’s my turn to ring the doorbell!” “It’s my turn to press the elevator button!” “It’s my turn to sit next to Mommy!” The number of hours I’ve spent trying to avoid the turn-taking game is astronomical. Honestly, you might need a spreadsheet to track who did what last. My secret weapon? When they argue about their turns, I simply declare, “It’s Mommy’s turn!” and take over, except for the litter box—those chores are all on them.
Funny Looks
Who knew that a simple glance could spark such outrage? “She glared at me!” “Stop looking at me that way!” “He’s always giving me that look!” Ugh! If only they could just look away. When that fails, I resort to my goofy, cross-eyed stare—my Crazy Mommy superpower. It might haunt their dreams, but it’s worth it!
Laughing at (Or Near) Each Other
While my kids can share a good laugh together, things escalate quickly if one laughs while the other is in a mood. It’s as if happiness is contagious and must be squashed! The one laughing is often accused of laughing at their sibling, which sometimes might be true, but that’s a hard sell.
Imaginary Destruction
One day, my daughter stormed in, tears streaming down her face. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “He killed my waaahhhhh!” “What did he kill?” “My imaginary dragon!” Ah, the tragedy of pretend calamities! Numerous imaginary beings have met their demise in our home over the years, usually resulting in a hug to soothe the storm of emotions.
Me
My kids love to vie for my attention, the ultimate prize. There seems to be an instinctual urge to be closest to me, the cherished Mommy. If one cuddles with me, the other must follow suit. They don’t overtly argue about it, likely knowing that would end poorly. However, there’s an unspoken competition for who can snuggle next.
Siblings will always bicker; it’s part of the package. I can only hope that one day they won’t squabble over who looked at whom or who got to press the elevator button last. At least, that’s the dream. Fingers crossed!
For more great resources on parenting and home insemination, check out our blog post here or learn about the essentials of self-insemination here. If you’re embarking on the journey of pregnancy, this article from Parents is an excellent resource here.
Summary
In this humorous reflection on sibling rivalry, the author shares the absurd reasons her kids argue, from measuring juice portions to imaginary dragons. The lighthearted anecdotes highlight the universal nature of sibling squabbles and the chaos they bring, all while maintaining a loving and engaging family dynamic.