Happy Monday, all!
As you all know, I am the mom of two boys. What you may not know is that they are less than two years apart- yep, those early years were busy.
In my family of origin, I am the oldest of three children. And, as a clinical psychologist, I’ve seen how sibling dynamics can shape our lives. While childhood squabbles over toys or who gets the last cookie might seem endless, (ask me about the cookie draft process) they play a crucial role in building lifelong skills like negotiation, empathy, and teamwork. Let’s think about it.
When parents take the time to nurture these relationships early on—encouraging sharing, resolving conflicts, supporting each other, and spending quality time together—it lays the foundation for a strong bond that lasts into adulthood. ***Even if teens drift apart, the effort made when they’re young pays off when they grow into supportive, close-knit adults.
So next time you referee a sibling spat, remember: you’re helping build a lifelong friendship. The bickering may be temporary, but the bond they’re forming is priceless. Hang in there—your hard work now leads to siblings who’ll be there for each other through life’s ups and downs. My siblings and I are super close, and I am grateful for that each and every day.
I look forward to our chat about Siblings tomorrow.
Happy Parenting!
xoxo,
Dr. Marnee