When we were pregnant with Nicholas and people found out we were having a boy, the most common response was, “Oh, well that’s okay. It’s only your second. You can keep trying!” The more diplomatic of our friends would ask, “Are you going to keep trying for a girl?”
Nope! We’re ship-shape. I always replied that the only way we would have more children is if I could guarantee they would all be boys. I was only partly kidding.
All I ever wanted growing up was a sister. My brothers had each other, and together they were thick as thieves, like built-in best friends. The Mister is extremely close with his brother, and my girlfriends with sisters are the same. I know it’s possible to be close to a sibling of the opposite gender, and that some brothers are enemies and sisters are rivals. Likely, even. But it formed in my mind as a young child that same-sex siblings become best friends. I grew up wanting sons or daughters, but not both.
We are lucky that Mikey and Nicholas adore and look out for each other. If Mikey gets a treat from a mom at choir practice, he asks for an extra one to bring home to his brother. Nicholas colors Mikey pictures during the day and waits for him on the front porch to get home from school. They ask to sleep with each other every night.
Lately, though, there has been a competitive streak between the two. Who can jump, run, walk, play, clean up, eat, and drink faster. Who can read, sing, color, kick, swing, and ride bikes better. There are never ending races. Matches, and then rematches. Everything is a competition, including who is the most tired. Last night I heard them squabble back and forth.
“Whooh. I am so tired,” yawned Nico.
“I’m more tired than you,” challenged Mikey.
“No, I’m more tired.”
“I’m so tired, I’m practically asleep standing up!”
“I’m so tired, I already fell alseep and mama woke me up for dinner!”
“I said I’m more tired!”
“No, I AM!”
All this, while wide awake and playing with marbles.
I dropped family off at the airport at 5:30am that morning, then spent the day purging toys. My throat tickled either from impending plague or too much dust. I spent $40 two hours earlier on fish tank supplies and El Pollo Loco and they were arguing about who was more tired? Answer: ME. I was exhausted, in need of a break, and not about to let this opportunity slide by.
So I said, “I don’t know why you two are arguing back and forth. The only way you’ll be able to prove who is more tired is by being the one who falls asleep first.”
Eyes clashed over a ring of marbles. A mad dash to brush teeth and then, separate beds. Prayers recited faster than auction calls. Lights out! Goodnight! I’m already asleep! In less than five minutes, the house was a blanket of quiet.
Suckers.
That deserves a serious high five! Total win.
Pure genius!
This post just made me laugh out loud and then read it aloud to my husband. Well played!
Well played, my friend, well played!
Wow that’s amazing! Way to capitalize :)
Thanks, everyone. I have to say, when I realized they fell for it I felt like doffing my cap with a flourish and taking a huge bow. I felt like it was a win for mothers around the world. ;)
Mmm…Ruby’s.
I agree about having kids of the same gender. I always wanted a sister. Instead I have David. Enough said. I’m hoping for another girl one day…maybe.
Hah! Poor David. He gets no respect. :)
LOL. Well done. :) That was awesome.
hahahaha I love it!
Hah! Amazing how well a tired mom-brain can work!
Bawhaa. Genius.
Is it an age thing? Because, I think ours are close in age, and everything is a competition right now. I’ve started turning it into something productive (for me) with the kids, but the older one is starting to catch on…’who can clean-up the fastest, make the bed the neatest, read the most books’ is starting to lose its appeal, must find a new way to use this competitiveness to my advantage (said while drumming fingers together, and laughing somewhat maniacally).
This has all started recently, so I think it’s an age thing. I’ve used the toy competition before and you’re right–it has a limited shelf-life. I’m milking the last drop out of that technique.
Niiiice. My mom used to do the, “you don’t have to go to sleep, you just have to lay there with your eyes closed.” Sneaky mom.
When they started fighting me on naps I used to say, “You’re not taking a nap, you’re just taking a rest.” I can’t believe they fell for it. To this day, I can convince Mikey to “take a rest” when he is sick just by telling him he doesn’t need to fall asleep.
You are a genius! And your boys are adorable.
When I was pregnant for the 2nd time I really wanted a boy, so my son could have a brother. I grew up like you did, where it seemed like the all of the siblings I knew who were really close were the same sex. And my sister and I are very close. Well, I had a girl and I am happy to report that they are truly best friends. Everything you wrote about your two boys could be applied to my kids. We’ll see how it plays out as they grow up (now they are 5 and 2.5), but I have been so pleasantly surprised by how much they love each other and love spending time together.
That is great to hear. I know a few people who are very close to their opposite gender sibling. It’s just them, though, no other siblings, so I wonder if that has something to do with it. Probably not! I’m sure it’s just a personality thing.
Our boys are the best of friends & although older than yours (15 & 17) they still love some competition. Now they play fight all the time – still a competiton and yes they are still using the words as well. Well done for using their competitiveness to your advantage, you are a woman after my own heart lol :)
Ah, so I get to look forward to this for time to come, huh? :)
Brilliant! My one son thinks he’s cursed because I went and had three girls after him. He constantly asks why we can’t go back to the good old days when it was just the three of us!
I have a vivid memory of standing next to my mom as she changed my newborn littlest brother and just starting at his pee-pee in total disappointment. (I was 6.)
LOL! I wonder what he would say if you told him that… :)
Oh Jules, I laughed out loud, soooo cute! I remember those days! I have a boy and three girls. When the competition got too close to argument, which was OFTEN, especially when the got older, I used to say to them, “you know these are the only siblings you will ever have, you are family, friends will come and go, your family is always your family, so get along!”. I can happily report that even though they are all grown and married, they love each other and even plan events together, without any parental prompting.
Your boys are darling! Have a wonderful day!
Cindy
High Five!
Mama Jules YOU are a genius!
Yes! Genius! Use this tactic while you still can!
lol that is so awesome. Parents 1, kids 0
man I hope the kids get into an argument on this subject just so I can play this card. brilliant Jules, just brilliant ;)