Siblings

There is almost three years between my children. Whilst I grew up very close to my cousins (a year and 4 years younger) I had no siblings until I was secondary school age.

Sibling fighting is something quite new to me. I never really had an option to complain, or physically attack my siblings. I was an adult. I went to university when the older of my siblings was the age my daughter is now. The other still a baby.

I'm led to believe the physical fighting, the he absolute foul way the bigger treats the little, and the way the little cries at the slightest thing for maximum impact and punishment of the big one, is normal.

I worry how I will explain the injuries they give each other to professionals. I had to explain a black eye at my daughter's first parents evening (brother threw doctors kit at her from height) and my daughter was in close proximity both times my son broke a bone.

This holiday has been a lot of "I hate him" "she hit me" "he's annoying" "she said this" "he touched that" over and over with the odd thud and slap of skin on skin.

All day long. Every, single day. We are only half way through the first week!

Bedtime is a different story. They are suddenly best friends and gang up on their terrible, strict and mean parents. They can't possibly be separated. They must play, read and sleep together.

Then the cycle starts again.