Sibling bonding
Regular readers of my blog will know I have five children from two marriages. I have three children from my first marriage. There is three and half years between these three children. From my second marriage I have four year old twins with two minutes between them!
When I was growing up I had an older brother and sister. Unfortunately though they had left the home by the time I was eight years old so consequently I grew up as literally an only child with just my mum.
It has been interesting to watch my children form their sibling bond across a wide spectrum of age.
The oldest children because their mother and myself divorced I always thought they would form a strong bond as brother and sisters.
I would imagine that they saw each other as a shoulder to lean on.
Watching them grow up and being there for each other at times was very emotional for me. Seeing how close they were with one another. It could be something simple like watching each other play football which they did a lot of or waiting at the school gates for each other to walk home. Supporting each other with any problems they had at school.
The girls especially have helped each other in their relationships with boys as they were going through their teenage years. My son has also asked his sisters for advice because he is more comfortable with them about certain subjects.
They have all grown up together as they have such a small age gap between them. Now as they have entered adulthood they have become friends as well as siblings and often go out for night outs and just enjoying each other’s company.
Their bond started when they were young and it is without a doubt the strongest relationship any of us will have in our life.
Moving along I re-married and when my oldest daughter was 16, my wife had twin girls. So my three oldest children had two half sisters and I initially was worried that they may not be accepting of two new siblings. My biggest fear was jealousy and the worry that they felt I would love the twins more and have less time for them, but I always tried to divide my time as equally as possible
How wrong could I have been! Whether you are full or half siblings it doesn’t make any difference. From the moment their twin sisters were born I believe I saw an instant bonding with all my children. They only ever saw them as sisters and would do anything to help, after all they are their little sisters.
The twins are now four years old and the relationship with their sisters and brothers is fantastic. To watch the twins love seeing their older siblings is fab. They love it when they play games with them and the girls really miss them when they don’t see them for a while. My 18 year old daughter is in university about a two hour drive away and she misses them as much as they miss her.
As all my children grow older the age gap will become less significant and the bond between all five will be very strong.
It’s a comforting thought that when I am no longer here that will always look out for each other. It’s really all I could ask for.
16 Comments
Kat Candyfloss
April 13, 2016 at 6:26 am
It's really lovely that they all get on so well! I agree as well with the half sibling thing, my youngest sister is a half sibling but I've never seen her as anything other than my sister! #bestandworst
Nigel
April 14, 2016 at 7:25 pm
Yes it's great they do thank you for your comment
whine or wine
April 15, 2016 at 7:04 am
So lovely, the bond between the eldest and little ones….and of course great age for babysitting???
Emma
April 15, 2016 at 7:10 am
My OH has 6 brothers & sisters. 3 with one mum & 3 with another all same dad & they don't differentiate they are all just brothers & sisters. You have a lovely family. #binkylinky lifeinthemumslane
Mummy Fever
April 15, 2016 at 8:50 am
Ah I love this – I find the bond between my four so strong and I love to hear about other similar bonds. #BinkyLinky
Mimiroseandme
April 15, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Awww it is so lovely and so great that they all get on. I would love to have a big family like that, there is nothing more important than family. Thank you for sharing for #BinkyLinky!
Helen Gandy – Beautiful Things
April 15, 2016 at 7:51 pm
How lovely, I was an only child so never got to experience any sibling bonding which is why I knew I wanted more than 1 child. It's such a wonderful thing to see children bonding, I adore watching it develop. Lovely post and thanks for linking up #bestandworst
Carly Lawrence
April 15, 2016 at 10:24 pm
Its so lovely how all your children get along. My two are very close but are still very young so just hope they remain that way.
Sarah Howe
April 16, 2016 at 6:54 am
I love how they all get on so well and the twins love the older girls so much and vice versa. I got on so well with my brother growing up and it's lovely. Thanks for hosting x
lizzie ( firstooth )
April 18, 2016 at 6:14 am
That's lovely I think it's something all us parents hope for is children to become eachothers best friends and support systems when mum and dad just don't quite cut it. That's great that your eldest and your youngest have a strong bond too
Honest mum
April 18, 2016 at 5:29 pm
Oh what a sweet post and wonderful to see how close the kids are, my son bonded on a recent trip to Wales and really started to get on far better than they have in a long while. Hoping it lasts. Thanks for linking up to #Brilliantblogposts x
Savannah Noe
April 19, 2016 at 7:03 am
What an absolutely lovely post about the bond your children share. My son is currently an only child, but that close bond and friendship is definitely something I want for him in the future. I'm so happy that all of yours get along so well-how precious it must be to watch them interact <3 #justanotherlinky
Something Crunchy Mummy
April 21, 2016 at 10:42 am
It really is lovely to see and witness Childrens bonds with each other. #binkylinky xx
Something Crunchy Mummy
April 21, 2016 at 7:33 pm
Popping back from #justanotherlinky. Thanks for linking up xx
Life-As-Mum
April 22, 2016 at 6:21 pm
What a wonderful post. I am the eldest of 6 but only grew up with one. All the others are much younger than me. The one i grew up with has changed for the worst and sadly have no contact with him for a good few months now
Thank you for linking up to #justanotherlink
alan herbert
April 24, 2016 at 9:15 am
It's great they all get along so well.
Mrs OMG had two boys when I met her and now we have a boy and girl of our own.
At the moment they are not that close. Although you do notice they miss each other when not around.
Hopefully as they grow older they will get closer.
It's great all your kids get on so well.
A fab post Nige.