The bickering ends. Occasionally…

Siblings August 2014

I yelled at my children this summer. I yelled so hard I thought my head would burst, and I made them cry. I was ashamed of myself almost instantly. But the bickering had become incessant. It felt like all I ever said was “Walk away. Just ignore. Move away. Stop.” And I it just continued. I felt invisible. My children just couldn’t seem to help themselves for picking at each other, poking, pointing, grumbling, criticising.

But then we took a holiday. And on our return I found these pictures in my camera:

Siblings August 2014

Hanging out in the fountain at Lisieux, France

Hanging out in the empty fountain at Lisieux, in Northern France, waiting for a tour of a chocolate-making shop, they stopped their warfare for long enough to laugh together. To play, to muck about, to do the things that children do. To enjoy each other’s company.

Sometimes it’s hard to love each other. But they do…

The harbour at Honfleur

I’m sharing with Katie at Mummy Daddy Me, where other’s are linking their sibling posts.

 

23 thoughts on “The bickering ends. Occasionally…”

  1. Ahhh I love these Helen – so nice to savour these kind of moments – I have a photo of Kit and Ozzy on my desktop screensaver – I go to look at it when they are arguing and it reminds me that all hope is not lost! x

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  2. My sister and I used to fight all the time but whenever we went on holiday we would get on really well, we had all these special games we would play and I have so many memories of them now. I’m not sure what it is, it’s a pity it can’t be like a holiday all the time at home too though! x

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  3. Lovely pictures, I think its only natural for the bickering, I know what you mean though when you are constantly saying “just have a bit of space for a minute” distraction methods etc.. And mine are only 3 & 2! lol These images sum up their bond lovely though, a deeper connection that over-rides the bickering by the looks of it xx

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  4. I really love these pictures. My children have bickered awfully as well this year, it has driven me crazy. Pictures like this show that really, deep down they really do love each other

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  5. Reminds me of me and my siblings – constant bickering, but occasionally surprising everybody by getting on really well. Holidays definitely seem to be a good time for that.

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  6. Awwww, these photos are lush! So tender, the way your son is looking at your daughter. The bickering is so exhausting isn’t it? But underneath their prickliness is a deep layer of love.

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  7. Such adorable photos. I can so relate to the endless bickering (and the mum shouting). It’s such a relief when it stops! I know that my kids love each other too, somewhere (very) deep down!

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  8. Gorgeous lovely shots. I so know what you mean about reaching the yelling thresh hold. If its any consolation, I found that my two (who are a tiny bit older than yours, same age gap roughly and girl then boy) bickered a lot less this year, AND they spent a lot of time together. So, take heart, it might be easier next year! S

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  9. Oh Helen, they are beautiful images of your children. I do hope you have them printed, and hung on the wall. Something to look at in those moments they are driving you insane.

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  10. My younger brother and I (18 months between us) argued so much when we were younger that, one day, my mum locked us in the car for an afternoon because we’d driven her so mad. To be fair, my dad worked away on oil rigs so she had a lot to cope with. It didn’t do us any harm at all, and probably gave her a break.

    A few years ago, when my brother was in his late teens, he was babysitting our younger cousins, and the oldest 2 boys wouldn’t stop physically fighting. My brother’s solutions was to lock them both in the cupboard under the stairs. They loved it, and it stopped the fighting immediately!

    Now he has 2 kids of his own (16 months and new born), I wonder whether he’ll remember and use this trick, and whether it will work.

    Oh, and now in our 20s, my brother and I are best friends these days.

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  11. Love these fabulous photos of GG & Bug and deep down they obviously care a lot for one another! My 2 bicker all the time & it drives me insane when they’re back from uni. When there’s a problem however, they are there for each other no matter what!

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    • I can’t imagine having to mediate between grown adults bickering Izzie – I think I might have to take a holiday when they’re home from uni!

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  12. Aww – those pics are lovely! Makes me look forward to having two, although I have no doubt the bickering in this house will be FULL-ON if the tantrums she mangoes on her own are anything to go by! xx See you Friday at the MADS lady :))) x

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  13. Oh bless you Helen. My two also had their moments of bickering and exasperation with each other. I too shouted. But looking back at the fab moments makes you realise it’s all a normal part of growing up with a sibling. And we are only human too x

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  14. Ah it is lovely when you realise that the kids love each other really! My 2 were exactly as described in your post over the holidays but there were occasional times when they got on…thank goodness!!!

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  15. I have a few well cherished photos like this…..most of the moments lasted long enough to take the picture before the bickering commenced! but they are lovely photos and lovely memories.

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