When Toddler Siblings Play Together

when toddler siblings play together

Raising Siblings to be Friends

Siblings play together, without a parent around, from the beginning, right? Wrong! I had no clue how long it would take. I am so grateful my kids are finally there. I mean, finally! Yay! It seems like it’s been forever. I had no idea just how tough it would be to raise two kids who are only 15 months apart. We actually thought it would be easier, and I think it will be when they’re older.

I’m not complaining, really. But right now, as much as I love them, there are many, many days when I want to tear my hair out; when I feel like I’m breaking down.

And then, out of nowhere, they do something that allows me the chance to breathe.

when toddler siblings play together

When Toddlers Play Together

Case in point, this past weekend. My husband and I were watching HGTV in our living room and the kids were in the playroom. We noticed it got really quiet — too quiet. Something must be going down in the playroom, right? I quietly got up, snuck around the corner, and peeked into the playroom, trying to catch them in the act.

Guess what I found? Rocco was quietly reading a book to Gigi. I almost screamed and messed the whole thing up. OK, it wasn’t technically reading. He’s only 3. He was more like reciting one of his favorite Eric Carle books that he has memorized because I had read it to him so many times.

This is the first moment in three years where I finally feel like I can take a breath – a really quick shallow breath, but a breath nonetheless. I could breathe because they played, uninterrupted, and on their own.

Yes!

Usually, when we left them to play by themselves they tried to turn on the light switches, play with the ceiling fan switch, climb on top of their little table, rearrange furniture, dump entire bins of toys on the ground — just doing normal, but annoying kid things.

Words fail to express to how happy and proud I felt in that moment, seeing them playing quietly with each other. I would have bet you that my heart was going to burst with love.

“Red bird, red bird, what do you see? I see a yellow duck looking at me.” Gigi quietly listened as Rocco read the entire book and then, being the insatiable reader she is, quickly handed him another one to read to her.

When toddler siblings play together

The Bond Between Brothers and Sisters

I’ve noticed a lot more moments like this recently. I worried that having a boy and a girl would mean they might not be very close. I don’t have a brother, so what do I know?  My friends reassured me that opposite sex siblings could be very good friends too.

Obviously, there are no guarantees that my babies will remain good friends. I know they are going to have plenty of moments when they are anything but. I just hope, in the long run, that they love, respect and appreciate each other.

So far, I think we are doing a good job of raising siblings to be friends.

Are your kids good friends? How did you deal with all the madness of the toddler years?

7 Comments

  1. charleneasay1 says:

    I love when my kids play together. I have a 4 almost 5 year old and 3 year old. Thanks for sharing with us at Family Joy Blog Link Up. I hope you enjoy the party.

    1. Isn’t it the best when they play together?! Wow, and I thought I was busy with two kids. Thank you for your comment

  2. I can totally relate to this post. I have an almost 4 year old and a 20 month old. I am just starting to see glimmers of hope that they might be capable of playing together! The older one is the trouble maker for sure. The little one takes a beating (sometimes quite literally) but just keeps coming back for more. I love how you said you felt like you could finally take a breath. So good to hear for this mama who is still holding her breath every day. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Thanks for sharing Cristina! It is so helpful to know other moms go through this too. It gets a little better everyday 🙂

  3. My girls are two years and two months apart and they are best friends! When they’re not best enemies, that is…lol! I am curious if its more of a personality thing more than whether or not they are the same sex. Continue to encourage them to play together and get along and they will be best of friends for sure! Thanks for sharing at the Family Joy Linky Party!

    1. That is a good point! It may not be a gender thing at all. My sister and I are 2.5 years apart. We always got along fine, but we never really played together or had a lot in common as little kids. Thanks for your comment!

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