Lately I have been struck by how loving my daughters are. When Bug bumped her head and was crying, Lou gasped and ran to her, gave her a sweet hug and kiss, and held her, saying, “My poor Bug, you have an owie? You hurt? It’s okay, I’ll kiss it.” And Bug, for her part, accepted Lou’s kisses as suitable treatment for the injury. Previously she would throw off her sister’s attentions and seek mine, but they have begun to attend each other’s needs as they are able.
I began to teach this awhile ago by inviting the sibling to assist me in helping when one sister was hurt or needed something, then praising their helpfulness and labeling the virtue. If Lou had scraped her knee, I would have Bug apply the band-aid and fetch Lou’s blankie, then praise her gentleness and kindness. If Satchmo is falling asleep while nursing, I will ask one of the girls to find his pacifier, and thank them for helping. I also point out the result of their actions and help them to appreciate and enjoy the sibling’s relief or happiness or peace.
Now I often will see the girls bring Satchmo a pacifier (or take him by the hand and bring him to me!) when he is crying, or find and supply a blankie when a sibling is sleepy, or hold hands to help each other safely down the stairs. They take joy in helping each other, and I’ve even heard Bug exclaim, “I’m helping Satchmo, I’m a sweet girl!”
The usual caveat: They are siblings, they still fight and squabble and pinch and such. But this helps.
Posted on July 3rd, 2007 by Dove
Filed under: Kids
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