Sibling.........LOVE?                                              

"That's mine!"
"He hit me!"
"She's in my rooooooooom!"
"MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Ahhhh, the joy of siblings. Brothers will be brothers. They will tease, torment and beat up their siblings. Sisters will be sisters, they will tattle, scream and annoy to death their brothers and sisters. Always. Right? I mean, that's like saying ice cream is cold or its hot during summer. Its the way its always been and the way it will always be! Eventually, with enough prayers on Mom's part, hopefully they will grow up to some day love each other.......right?
WRONG!
I totally. completely. disagree.
Its how they are raised.
How often do I hear mom's say - "oh, I let them sort it out, they have to learn how to get along" or "oh these two kids are driving me crazy!"
No, they are not going to just learn how to get along. And, all kids drive us crazy sometimes, but it shouldn't be because they are related. Kids are not going to just sort out their problems. Putting them in an over sized t-shirt to "get along" is not the answer.
So, what is? I mean, how do we solve this age old problem of bickering brothers and sisters?
By parenting them. Deliberately and intentionally. Now, I am not saying every time there is a raised voice you go running in. Of course not. But, kids at age 5, 6, 7, 8 - they do not have the negotiating skills, the self control or the empathy they need automatically built in. They do not YET cherish the relationship they are in with their brother or sister. But, they can learn to. Love CAN be learned.
And, moms and dads that's OUR job! Its our job to teach them how to share, love, have patience, cherish their loved ones, respect each other's property, show compassion, act in love.
When my two oldest begin to have a problem, I am there. I am aware- most of the time, of what is going on. I am listening. I am waiting. Once I see where its headed I WILL step in. To teach. I get down to their level. I speak to both, one-on-one and explain how they could have handled things differently. They learn how the other one must have felt during the argument or fight. They ask each other for forgiveness. They are told, over and over and over that they are BROTHER AND SISTER. They will be best friends for ETERNITY. Other friends will come and go. My little blessings will be in a relationship forever.

Getting along is not an instinct. Its not something we are born with. It is something that has to be taught to us. The importance of a relationship has to be shown us. If we are teaching our children that loving each other matters, that respecting each other, forgiving each other matters, then our children will become more than just related. They will become best friends. They will become what God intended brothers and sisters to be. They will be each others support network. When they are grown and go through life's trials and difficult times.....they will have each other to lean on. They will lift each other up, instead of tearing each other down. 

So, yes - siblings will fight, they will argue and they will drive you nuts!  But, take the time out to parent them when this happens. Don't just chalk it up to kids being kids. It is a major opportunity to teach them how to love - and the importance of family. As a homeschooling mom this is a lesson we relearn every, single day. It can be exhausting! I feel like I am saying the same, exact thing every single day. That's because I am!  That's my job. Over and over and over. Teach, show, love, forgive. Over and over and over. And, some days I see little glimmers of hope - a random act of kindness, an afternoon of playing happily together, a loving word, or a goofy hug. I know my children love each other, and they are learning how important that is, and how to show it.