I realise I tend to write blogs posts in stints. And then I get out of inspiration, out of the habit of it etc.. and because of that I haven’t shared any updates on the two brothers and how they’re getting on.

Well, the last thing I shared was that it was all going as well as it could. Mind you, Leo was 7 weeks at the time. He is now 1 year and 3 months old. Alfie is 4 years old. And let me tell you it’s not always smooth sailing. I know, I know. You’re reading this, smug, thinking – I could’ve told you that ages ago!

Would I have listened? Probably not.

Thing is, it’s been like a slow wave. In the beginning it was cute and fun to have a little brother. Then kind of boring because he didn’t really do much. And now when all Leo wants in life is to be with, close to and on top of Alfie… it’s mixed feelings, shall I say. It was a period where Alfie never wanted Leo to come in close proximity of him. As soon as Leo were looking at him he shrieked for us to take him away. This has, to be honest, decreased. Still happens but not to the same extent. And now, finally, they can even play together at times. Which makes my heart just fill up to the brim and overflow with love.

Gosh, I really hope they will become close. I know it’s not something I can control. We can try our best to include them both and give them both their own time etc. But I really hope they will grow up to be good friends and not just siblings. I hope they will enjoy spending time together, who knows maybe even go on holidays together when they’re old enough.

There are definitely moments of joy that they share and that gives me so much joy.

But man alive when the two of them kick off at the same time… those are times when I’m questioning my own sanity, questioning my parenting, questioning why we felt the need to have two kids. It’s so hard.

I know, siblings have existed since the dawn of time so parents have had these challenges for eeeever. I know. Doesn’t make it any easier for me though, does it?

What I’m finding really hard is the different needs they have. Alfie is 4 years old and Leo is just over a year. Leo is not walking yet. Alfie is jumping, screaming instead of talking (a nice new thing that has entered our lives very recently) and just a ball of energy or adrenaline or both. Whilst Leo just wants to cuddle Alfie as soon as they’re next to each other. Leo tried to copy what Alfie does so when his older brother is scream-talking Leo starts shouting at the top of his lungs. And that’s me done.

Any tips? How can we get them to be cool, calm little geniuses that are constantly a delight to be around?

Calm down, I’m not serious. But tips are absolutely welcome on balancing different sibling needs and how to mitigate sibling fights. Please and thank you.

Enjoy your day and hopefully you’ll get to sleep well, even if it’s only five minutes at a time.

X