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!
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.
We have regular play dates so they look forward to it all the time!
We have regular play dates so they look forward to it all the time!
We schedule playdates or I pick activities that my boys enjoy doing together.
We schedule playdates or I pick activities that my boys enjoy doing together.
We have them over for playdates.
We have them over for playdates.
I always encourage her to start conversations or introduce herself when at the park either on the swings or waiting in line for the slides
I always encourage her to start conversations or introduce herself when at the park either on the swings or waiting in line for the slides
We have play dates with classmates
We have play dates with classmates
I help them enjoy their friendships by encouraging them to play with their friends and inviting their friends over so they feel welcome.
I help them enjoy their friendships by encouraging them to play with their friends and inviting their friends over so they feel welcome.
I encourage my shy 4 y.o. to start simple conversations to help start friendships.
I encourage my shy 4 y.o. to start simple conversations to help start friendships.
It's funny, I think the best thing i've done to foster friendship in my kids is to step back and let them play and fight and work things out together. They do pretty well if I don't interfere. 🙂
We have crafting time with their friends.
We have crafting time with their friends.
We have been trying to help this along the last year, he is so shy. We have done some playdates to help!
We have been trying to help this along the last year, he is so shy. We have done some playdates to help!
We emphasize the importance of being a team and working together. They all learn early to help each other out, and do what's best for the group as a whole.
We emphasize the importance of being a team and working together. They all learn early to help each other out, and do what's best for the group as a whole.
My kids generally get along pretty decent. When we have the times they do not, they get to have some time out time until they can get over whatever started them fighting or go to their room until they can get along.
My kids generally get along pretty decent. When we have the times they do not, they get to have some time out time until they can get over whatever started them fighting or go to their room until they can get along.
I try to find activities that will be fun for all different ages to encourage more play! Right now, my kids are enjoying board games a lot.
I try to find activities that will be fun for all different ages to encourage more play! Right now, my kids are enjoying board games a lot.
My child is very sociable and friendly.
My child is very sociable and friendly.
We have family game nights and outings that the kids can all enjoy together.
We have family game nights and outings that the kids can all enjoy together.
I try to encourage my kids to see the best in their friends.
I try to encourage my kids to see the best in their friends.
My girls were 6 years apart so we didn't have a lot of sibling rivalry or fighting. They always seemed to get along and enjoyed doing things together.
My girls were 6 years apart so we didn't have a lot of sibling rivalry or fighting. They always seemed to get along and enjoyed doing things together.
I have three boys so i make sure to set up activities that all 3 of them can participate in and they've grown to cherish the time they spend together.
I have three boys so i make sure to set up activities that all 3 of them can participate in and they've grown to cherish the time they spend together.
Make sure that they have opportunities to play with other children, whether at the park, with a friend's children or with their cousins.
Make sure that they have opportunities to play with other children, whether at the park, with a friend's children or with their cousins.
we emphasize treating siblings with respect so they can have healthy relationships with each other
we emphasize treating siblings with respect so they can have healthy relationships with each other
I give my children plenty of opportunities to spend time with other kids in friendly environments.
I give my children plenty of opportunities to spend time with other kids in friendly environments.
I encourage them to work together to find a solution or build something.
I encourage them to work together to find a solution or build something.
I try to have a couple of creative, fun activities plans for play dates at our house. I can use one of those if they seem to be getting bored or if there is a disagreement. It also helps to break the ice with new friends!
I try to have a couple of creative, fun activities plans for play dates at our house. I can use one of those if they seem to be getting bored or if there is a disagreement. It also helps to break the ice with new friends!
I don't immediately step in when they have a disagreement.
I don't immediately step in when they have a disagreement.
Dd is a social butterfly so I've never really had to worry about it - she makes friends with everyone and loves younger kids! Her cousins are in the pre-teen stage and lately haven't wanted to hang out with her and she has been taking it hard! She's still asking for another baby sister or brother...from her lips to God's ears!
Dd is a social butterfly so I've never really had to worry about it - she makes friends with everyone and loves younger kids! Her cousins are in the pre-teen stage and lately haven't wanted to hang out with her and she has been taking it hard! She's still asking for another baby sister or brother...from her lips to God's ears!
I encourage her to go out of her comfort zone to do activities with friends. I also volunteer to host sleepovers.
I encourage her to go out of her comfort zone to do activities with friends. I also volunteer to host sleepovers.
I set up playdates for my daughter.
I set up playdates for my daughter.
My nephew enjoys other kids when he plays soccer. My nieces are close in age, so they enjoy each others' company.
My nephew enjoys other kids when he plays soccer. My nieces are close in age, so they enjoy each others' company.
I allow my girls to spend time with their friends. They like to go to the movies with friends or even the amusement park. Thank you!
I allow my girls to spend time with their friends. They like to go to the movies with friends or even the amusement park. Thank you!
My girls love it when we build a tent in the living room together. They gather their pillows and blankets and bring in their dolls and stuffed animals. They'll spend all day under there laughing and playing together. We'll watch a movie and eat their lunch underneath and we have snuggle time too. I love watching my girls play together, and with other kids. It's how they learn to get along and learn social skills for life.
My girls love it when we build a tent in the living room together. They gather their pillows and blankets and bring in their dolls and stuffed animals. They'll spend all day under there laughing and playing together. We'll watch a movie and eat their lunch underneath and we have snuggle time too. I love watching my girls play together, and with other kids. It's how they learn to get along and learn social skills for life.
We have a lot of playdates and attend children's activities in town.
We have a lot of playdates and attend children's activities in town.
I try to find activities that they can enjoy doing together
I try to find activities that they can enjoy doing together
I try to keep my kids actively engaged with others by enrolling them in various classes and arranging for playdates. We will also talk about their adventures.
I try to keep my kids actively engaged with others by enrolling them in various classes and arranging for playdates. We will also talk about their adventures.
I get my kids involved in after school programs.
I get my kids involved in after school programs.
I take my boys to a park once or twice a week. They love meeting new friends and I get to meet new parents.
I take my boys to a park once or twice a week. They love meeting new friends and I get to meet new parents.
I let my kids have sleepovers which each other on weekends.
I let my kids have sleepovers which each other on weekends.
Playdates and town events are good ways to get to know other kids.
Playdates and town events are good ways to get to know other kids.
We try to involve our son in lots of activities with other kids so he has opportunities to make friends.
We try to involve our son in lots of activities with other kids so he has opportunities to make friends.
My girls are 3 and 16 months. They fight a lot but there are those special moments where they make each other laugh and they give each other a little hug. I was an only child so seeing these little moments makes my heart melt and I hope they continue to grow together.
My girls are 3 and 16 months. They fight a lot but there are those special moments where they make each other laugh and they give each other a little hug. I was an only child so seeing these little moments makes my heart melt and I hope they continue to grow together.
Friendships are hard, especially with young kids. I think they learn best from example.
Friendships are hard, especially with young kids. I think they learn best from example.
My kids love to play with their friends! Lately they have been having tumbling contests on our jump house!
My kids love to play with their friends! Lately they have been having tumbling contests on our jump house!
I let my son have his friends over often to hang out and play video games or play outside and sometimes he has sleep overs. I let him know that not only is family important but friends are too.
I let my son have his friends over often to hang out and play video games or play outside and sometimes he has sleep overs. I let him know that not only is family important but friends are too.
I help them by encouraging playdates, thinking about others feelings and appreciating the value of socializing.
I help them by encouraging playdates, thinking about others feelings and appreciating the value of socializing.
My son doesn't have my friendships right now. He's 3 and just started preschool. I try to encourage friendships with his cousins by lots of playtime together. He LOVES dinos, so this would be so awesome to win. Thank you!
My son doesn't have my friendships right now. He's 3 and just started preschool. I try to encourage friendships with his cousins by lots of playtime together. He LOVES dinos, so this would be so awesome to win. Thank you!
Set up sport event and sleepover are always great ideas.
Set up sport event and sleepover are always great ideas.
I try to make sure my kids have activities to do with each other. Yesterday they spent hours playing with play-doh. As for time with other kids we do storytime at the library, community activities and Sunday school
I try to make sure my kids have activities to do with each other. Yesterday they spent hours playing with play-doh. As for time with other kids we do storytime at the library, community activities and Sunday school
We try to schedule activities or going different places around our county and meeting up with friends or neighbors so my grandsons can socialize and form friendships.
We try to schedule activities or going different places around our county and meeting up with friends or neighbors so my grandsons can socialize and form friendships.
We schedule playdates.
We schedule playdates.