During the Christmas break I have seen new depths to my children; The bickering is getting worse and the love when they share a game or a joke is getting better. It makes no sense to me.
For 3 and 5 they are very adept at disabling each other with one swift look, word or sigh. In particular the 5 year old is good at stealth; Muttering a sentence which winds up the 3 year old and sends him spiraling into a frenzy. He on the other hand prefers obvious teasing; Laughing in her face or simply standing in front of the TV at a crucial moment with a wry grin on his face.
Breakfast is a particular minefield. Their cereal of choice is currently honey nut cornflakes. A box will last no more than 48 hours and is now a treat reserved for holidays. It’s rice crispies and cheerios the rest of the time.
A couple of days ago the 3 year old, who is particularly mesmerised by the pull of the honey nut cornflake, was feeling a little panicked that we may be close to running out. It was only 8am but tempers were fraying. There had already been a dispute over who should have the shiny bowl and whether the 5 year old was looking at the 3 year old. There was an accusation that the 3 year old may have placed the 5 year old’s spoon an extra millimetre out of reach on purpose.
The 5 year old had clearly had enough. As her brother poured his honey nut cornflakes she stabbed him through the heart.
As she tucked into her cereal she said to him “You want to marry those cornflakes don’t you?”.
… and with those eight innocuous words his world fell apart and his head exploded.
She sat back and admired the result as he was carted off to calm down.
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Heather on December 30, 2009
oh, cutting words. Sounds like a delightful peaceful breakfast time.
I want to stick my fingers in my ears, close my eyes and chant ‘I can’t hear you’ when i read posts like this. Two years apart at 1 and 3 my two are bad enough as it is…what are they going to be like in two years time? Argh!!!
admin on December 30, 2009
That’s fairly representative of most breakfasts round here.
My two are 18 months apart … a double edged sword.
Insomniac Mummy on December 30, 2009
Your sibling posts remind me that in 2 year’s time this will be me!
Whod’ve thought honey nut cornflakes coud cause so much pain. Mental note made never to go there!
admin on December 30, 2009
Even if you ban the honey nut flakes … they will find something else, believe me!
English Mum on December 30, 2009
I hate to rain on your parade, lovely girl, but mine are 11 and 14 and they’re just as bad: the little whispered put downs, the sarcastic comments.
The only difference now is that sometimes I have to stop myself from laughing. Yesterday, we walked past a hugely fat goth in a shopping centre and #2 muttered ‘that’s your girlfriend’ in his brother’s ear. I had to walk a bit faster and bite my lip…
admin on December 31, 2009
I laugh now. There is no hope.
Littlemummy on December 30, 2009
Good wholesome family fun at christmas time then
I’m tearing my hair out already, and I have til’ the 11th before she goes back.
admin on December 31, 2009
This is an all year round sport. Not just reserved for festive times.
Victoria on December 30, 2009
That sounds just like our house, with a cunning seven year old thrown in for good measure. The MIL brought a giant (American portion giant) box of cereal with marshmallows in it back from holiday in the US and we’ve been having daily discussions of this nature ever since.
admin on December 31, 2009
We should start a support group. At least you won’t have these problems when you are away …. ahem.
Metropolitan Mum on December 30, 2009
Gulp. She is only 5. How can she be so sarcastic?
admin on December 31, 2009
I think I may be to blame …
Emily O on December 30, 2009
How funny, my 4 year old and 18 month old are quite bad already. I’m amazed at how skilled 18 month old is at winding 4 year old up. The Christmas holidays has really brought it out in them too as they’ve spent so much time together. And now there’s a third in the mix, in a few years time I’ll probably be really wondering what I’ve let myself in for. I’m wondering now. In fact I’m very nervous.
admin on December 31, 2009
Mine started early, but there are lots of happy loving moments too. It’s only during the holidays that is is magnified. Right now they are snuggled on the sofa together playing … who knows what could happen in ten minutes.
Brighton Mum-Teenage Angst on December 30, 2009
Ooohhh…I know these type of conversations from old!!. Actually, thinking about it, my 16yr old TD still manages to wind up her older brothers quite sucessfully. And your 5 yr old couldn’t have picked a better wind up line though, little & bigger boys seem to be pre-programmed to be HORRIFIED by the mention of marriage!!
admin on December 31, 2009
My niece and nephew are 13 and 15 so I know I have a long road of sibling rivalry ahead! What frightens me is how good they are at pushing each others buttons, as they get older it will only get worse!
Frog in the Field on December 31, 2009
snigger.
My children are perfect all the time (crosses fingers and hope nose stops growing)
admin on December 31, 2009
Mine too. In fact this morning breakfast was perfect. My perfectly dressed children were cordial to each other and passed pleasantries across the table.
Ahem … nose is hanging out the window.
Toni on December 31, 2009
Only 3 and 5 and they’re cutting each other down like that? Wow, just think of how many more years you’ve got like that! lol. And then there’s the teenage years; well, I won’t go there haha
x
admin on January 1, 2010
Oh god, I should just book myself into a home for the terminally bewildered until they leave home.
A Modern Mother on January 4, 2010
Welcome to my life! It’s the damn bickering! Our current one is who get the flower cup. Ugghhhh.