Archive for the ‘Siblings’ Category

Bryan and Brandon fight. A LOT. A WHOLE WHOLE LOT. Everyday would be filled with screams and cries from either one, and more often than not, from both. They will be playing together nicely and then all hell breaks loose 5 minutes later. Usually, it would be because Brandon destroys Bryan’s Lego creation. Or when Bryan doesn’t want to share a toy with the Brandon, in which Brandon retaliates by biting or hitting his brother. You get the picture.

On one shopping cum gathering trip, I had to rush Bryan to the clinic in the shopping mall as he suddenly developed a rash and swelling around his eye area. I was out alone with my super-blur maid and the 3 kids so needless to say, I was disturbed and a tad flustered. The GP (I discovered later that it was a locum) took ages with the patient before our turn – there were only TWO patients, and I had a difficult time trying to occupy the kiddos. By the time we were ushered in, I was close to tears of frustration because the swelling was getting larger and redder by the minute and the 2 younger ones were creating a ruckus at the same time.

 But the next scene totally melted my heart.

Without any urging, Brandon sat on the chair and immediately reached out for Bryan’s hand. They gripped each other’s hand like it was the last candy on Earth. I guess they love each other despite all the fights and will be there for each other when it matters most. 

Bryan absolutely adores and loves his di dis, and he constantly displays his affection to both Brandon and Bradley. From the moment he wakes up till the time he goes to sleep, Bryan is on a constant look-out for his brothers. He declares his love publicy by saying, “I Love You, Di Di!” and by hugging them. Sometimes, when I need to go to the toilet, I’ll ask him to keep an eye on Bradley. And he does! He actually stops whatever he was doing and sits next to Brad. Sometimes I peep at him from the kitchen and see Bryan talking to Bradley and giving Brad the toys that he has dropped, and at the same time reminding Bradley “to hold on tightly to your toys ok!”. My heart almost burst with pride and joy at that moment. Bryan, I must say, is an endearing big kor kor.

As for Brandon, Bryan do loves him just that Brandon tries very hard to copy everything Bryan is doing, and ends up destroying something in the process. Hence Bryan gets very frustrated especially when his precious Lego build-up is smashed to the ground. On better days, the both of them are able to sit down and play a puzzle together, or dance & sing & act silly together. I have no doubt that they both adore each other because the moment one is out of sight, the other will be asking for him. I’ll give them both time and according to this parenting book I was reading, I should give them space and opportunity for siblings to work things out themselves, instead of me intervening all the time.

Brandon is generally more tolerant of Bradley than of Bryan – perhaps sensing less threat! I feel that he is still too young to understand all that is happening around him. He is still driven by his instint for “survival”. Brandon does have his soft side. For instance, I will never be allowed to leave his side while he is playing unless I tell him that I have to feed/bathe Bradley. Then he will allow me to go.

I do feel blessed with these three sons of mine and I give thanks for that every single night. Have I ever wished for a girl? Of course I have! But it doesn’t mean I love the 3Bs any less. It’s just nice to see them watching over each other and I can only imagine how much ruckus they will be making when they are a little bigger!!