Sisterly Love

This week we moved the girls into the same room to prepare for the arrival of their little brother. So far it's working well, but that doesn't mean they have been obedient all the time in staying in their own beds. This week I also noticed they are getting along a little better, and seem to be better friends. Of course there are still issues, but they seem like better friends. I am making them nap apart because they still need naps (and Mommy needs a break!) but so far the biggest problem with that has been Amelia climbing out and over things to get wherever Caley happens to be. So far she's climbed out of the pack 'n' play and over the gate at Caley's room, another time she pushed the gate on her room off and climbed over the gate in Grama's room where Caley was resting. I guess I can't get too mad, because she just wants to be with her sister and the whole point of them sharing a room is to have a good relationship. (We have enough rooms in this house to give each kid a room and have a few to spare!) Anyway...
My point in this post is encouraging a good sibling relationship is a big reason why we chose to homeschool. I know non-homeschooling families can foster good sibling relationships, but a "plus" for homeschooling is that in general, siblings will learn to love one another simply because they will spend more time with each other. Especially going into baby #3 where there will be 5 years between Baby and Caley, I would be concerned about them having a good relationship if we were not planning to homeschool. But this way, they will physically be together for more time than if we sent Caley to kindergarten next fall, which will hopefully foster a better relationship between them. This concept will also apply if/when we go for baby #4, but let's discuss that when the time comes (not now!).

We attend Toddler Storytime at the library on Wednesdays, which is primarily for kids 18 months-3 years. It is a little weird to have Caley, nearly 5, in this group because she answers most of the questions and is a head taller than most of the kids. But even if our schedule allowed us to switch, I wouldn't want to, because the love Caley and Amelia show one another is just too precious. Caley feels confident and comfortable in this class and Amelia is right where she needs to be, it gives an opportunity for Caley to take a back seat and let Amelia learn in an appropriate environment instead of always being the one who has to wait.

It's the sweetest thing to see our kids love each other, I can only imagine what it will be like when the baby arrives.