Undoubtedly, one of my favorite things about being a mama is when I get to witness how much my kids truly like one another. Not just "we-love-because-we-have-to", but actual friendship. Snuggling, tickling, laughing, playing because-they-want-to friendship. It warms my heart to no end to see these sibling friendships developing and growing.
I was folding laundry on Lila's bed yesterday, and Lila climbed into Charlotte's crib to play with her, like she so often does. They just began snuggling under the covers and tickling each other and giggling like little girls do. My heart melted into a puddle when I saw them being so loving toward each other, all on their own.
My camera was in my office, but my iPhone was nearby, so that is what I used here. After all, "the best camera is the one that's with you." ~Chase Jarvis
I actually texted this photo to my two sisters immediately afterward, because it made me think of them. We're still best friends to this day, even as mamas ourselves.
Parents, never underestimate the importance of fostering real friendship between your children! I'm so very grateful for my sisters... the way we have always helped each other through different stages of life, having all of those inside jokes that no one else thinks is significant, much less funny. How we support each other even if we don't agree, how we can call or text in the middle of the night if we need a listening ear or a bit of advice about a sick baby. How we've comforted and encouraged one another through breakups and boyfriends, marriages and babies, through life and death and sickness in between, through prosperity and heart-breaking loss, through cross-country moves and changes that cannot be reversed. I am sp grateful for our undying friendship and our unconditional acceptance and support of each other. I know that my sisters always have my back, even though we are scattered across the country.
Our parents gave us these most wonderful gifts: each other.
It is my intention to guide all three of my children to not only love each other, but to truly like each other now and forever. To give them what I have with my sisters. And it's a beautiful thing to witness this unfolding before my eyes.
So what about you? Are your children also friends? Let's talk! I'd love to know your tips and ideas on how to develop sibling friendship in the comments below!
I'll go first! :) There were three of us girls, but only two bedrooms upstairs. So the two who were arguing the most would have to share a room until we learned to get along. We didn't like it at first, but it worked like a charm. Mom was pretty brilliant like that.
Now it's your turn!
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Today is the first day of my new blog series entitled, "What I Love About Being a Mama". Stay tuned for the next few weeks as we celebrate mothers all over the world. I'll be featuring interviews with other mamas, special gifts, and giveaways just for my readers! Be sure and subscribe so that you don't miss a single post!
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I also hope you'll join me this Friday and Saturday, April 11th and 12th, for Mother's Day mini-sessions at Honeymoon Island in Dunedin! I'd love to melt YOUR Mama-heart into a puddle when you see images of your children loving on each other, and loving on YOU. Register now by emailing me through this website (contact link above) or by calling me at 727-698-0344. It would be my honor to celebrate you and your children, even if they're grown up and not-so-little anymore. They'll always be your babies, after all, right?
xo, Stacey