Why it’s important for siblings to be friends

All week at camping, my two boys, ages five and three, played this game they made up. They’d scoot their kiddie camp chairs next to each other, then grasp hands. Then they’d scoot their chairs a few inches farther apart, and reach for each other again. They’d look at me, delighted, and say, “We can hold hands!”

They’d scoot their chairs a few more inches apart, and try again, crowing with excitement: “We can STILL hold hands!”

Over and over they’d scoot and reach out their hands to each other, until at last the distance was too great, and they couldn’t reach each other’s fingers. Then they’d return their chairs side by side and start over again.

It was cute and hilarious and… they were thrilled to be on this little camping adventure together. Now that I look back on that memory of them, I’m impressed by how it underscores why…

It’s important for siblings to be friends

Siblings spend more time with each other than any other child. Consider these benefits when siblings develop into true friends:

Wouldn’t it be great if your best friend LIVED with you!? Isn’t that what we all wanted growing up!? Well, when your sibling IS your best friend, that becomes a reality!

Who else can still have a playdate when you’re sick? I can’t find another mom (myself included) who’d bring their child to play at a sick kid’s house. But a sibling will sit by you on the couch and eat your crackers, and try to steal sips of your ginger ale.

After you just kicked down his LEGO tower, who else will simply sigh and rebuild, handing you more LEGO bricks to help him? Yes, a sibling. Siblings can be so forgiving (side note, it’s less stressful when they play and have a squabble, because I know they will work it out – and I don’t have to be afraid of losing a mom friend in the process!).

And at the end of the day…

My boys love other kids, and they make friends easily. We certainly love having friends over or meeting at the park to play. But at the end of the day, in the car, at the table, in their bedroom at night… they just have each other.

They’ve had good friends move away, cancel playdates, get sick, or wander off to do something my boys aren’t interested in… this is simply life and it  happens for all of us. And my boys have weathered all these life transitions just fine. But this mama breaths a prayer of thankfulness that through all those moments, they have each other, and they ARE truly friends.

And most importantly…

I think it’s important for siblings to be friends, because it’s a safe relationship where they can learn cooperation! Like how to be a giving and loving friend, and how to work through conflicts, without the stress of potentially losing a friend over a misunderstanding. I think developing their friendship with each other will only help them develop the ability to befriend and maintain healthy friendships with other kids too.

Over and over I see how their relationship is growing and flourishing and it just blesses my heart!

Last weekend, we visited the nature trails at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and I saw all over again, like at camping, how friendships are built from simple adventures together. The boys enjoyed hopping on dinosaur tracks, swinging off bridges, and running down wooden trails in the woods together.

Speaking of dinosaurs…

See their cute outfits!? Those are part of a new line from Gymboree – the Dinotrux clothing collection, which is based on the all-new original series on Netflix that speaks to the importance of friendship and cooperation. The characters are a mashup of dinosaurs and trucks, which is awesome! I previewed the first episode and so far Dinotrux seems like a cute and clean show for kids, with some humor and adventure sharing a positive message.

The Gymboree Dinotrux collection is full of vivid blues, yellows, and reds for “work” or play! Plaid button downs and jeans will be awesome for school, and sweats and t-shirts for school or for play! Accents in yellow striped trim recall construction sites, and each piece features a print or appliqué of a Dinotrux character. Plus hoodies and puffy vests for keeping warm this fall!

Look at these boys having a good time with each other – exploring, making dinosaur faces…

The accessories in this line are great too – my son is loving his big belt buckle on the measuring tape belt, and my little guy has been longing for a wallet and they have those too! Both boys wanted to show off their socks!

Come to Gymboree stores for a Dinotrux event!

To celebrate the launch of the Gymboreee / Dinotrux clothing collection, Gymboree is hosting an in-store event on September 12! Visit one of the participating Gymboree stores on Saturday, September 12, from 10-1 and participate – just click the link to RSVP and you’ll see the list of stores hosting the event!

At the in-store event, you can:

• Enter to win a Dinotrux shopping spree at Gymboree
• Watch special Dinotrux content
• Create their own Dinotrux world on the DreamWorks COLOR app
• Be the first to check out the new Power Revvit toy from Mattel and enter to win it!
• Shop the new Dinotrux and Gymboree collection

Sounds fun, right!? I know I’ll be there!

ENTER TO WIN $75 Gymboree Gift Card!

YES! One of my readers will win this awesome prize to get to check out the Dinotrux clothing line at Gymboree! Enter in the form below!
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 PIN THIS–>> To your kid’s fashion or style boards… or even parenting boards to remember to cherish the friendships your children have with each other!

This post has been sponsored by Gymboree and I received products and a gift card in exchange. All opinions are my own.