Siblings Getting Along: The Unicorn of Parenting

If you’ve ever caught your kids playing together peacefully, you know the feeling. It’s like spotting a unicorn galloping through your living room—rare, magical, and gone the moment someone breathes wrong. For my two littles, Brittany (9) and Blake (7), getting along is less about harmony and more like a hostage negotiation.

The Truce That Lasted 30 Seconds

It starts innocently. Brittany decides she’ll teach Blake a new cheer routine. She’s yelling out “5, 6, 7, 8!” like a tiny drill sergeant, and Blake, to his credit, is actually trying. He’s stomping around in what could generously be called freestyle interpretive dance. And for a moment, my heart swells. Look at them—bonding!

But then...

“Blake! You’re doing it wrong! You’re supposed to clap, not slap your face!”

“I’m doing it MY way, Brittany!”

And just like that, the unicorn evaporates into thin air.

The Art of Dividing Snacks (and Souls)

Siblings don’t actually want the snack you give them—they want the snack you didn’t give them. If I give Brittany the slightly bigger cookie, Blake will whip out his mental calipers and declare a crime against humanity.

But it doesn’t stop there. They will argue about things so inconsequential that even the dog sighs and leaves the room.

• "Your half of the couch is touching my half!”

• “Stop LOOKING at me!”

• “Mom! Blake said house I build in my game is stupid! IT’S NOT!”

  
  

When They’re a Team... Against Me

The one time they band together? When they’ve decided to overthrow me. If I dare sit down to eat something (heaven forbid), suddenly they are in perfect sync.

“Mom, can I have water?”

“Mom, where’s my stuffed animal?”

“Mom, my leg feels funny. Do I need to go to the hospital?”

They will unite with the efficiency of a military operation to ensure I never finish a warm meal. Their teamwork is terrifying.

The Sweetest Plot Twist

But here’s the kicker. After a day of chaos, when bedtime finally rolls around, I’ll peek into their rooms to find Blake sneaking into Brittany’s bed. She’s reading him a story (probably bossing him about how to hold the flashlight), and they’re giggling about something only they understand.

It’s in those moments I realize they’re more than siblings—they’re a package deal, partners in crime, and best frenemies for life.

Sure, they might spend 90% of their time arguing about who the dog loves more, but that other 10%? That’s when the unicorn shows up. And honestly, it’s worth all the chaos to witness it.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, Brittany is yelling that Blake has her hairbrush... again. Time to go referee another round of sibling WWE. Stay strong, parents—we’ve got this! 🦄

~ Mary

#MomLifeWithMary