Recently, I heard a delightful exchange on a farm adjacent to a bike trail in Pennsylvania…
Big brother: “Alright, cows! Time for us to squeeze some milk out of you!”
Little brother: chuckles.
Big brother (whispering): “Shh! Don’t laugh. They might realize we’re not real farmers.”
Big brother (louder, to the cows): “Come on, cows! We’re farmers!”
Little brother: “Yep, we’re farmers!”
Cow: “MOOOOOOOO.”
Both boys erupted in laughter and dashed back to their bikes.
This is just one of countless memories I hope to cherish for a long time—long after we receive the vaccine, long after my boys return to daycare and school, and long after every day stops being a bring-your-child-to-work day for my husband and me.
The four of us have spent nearly every waking moment together over the past year. If someone had told me in mid-March 2020 that my children would be home for not just two weeks, but for a whole year, I probably would have quit my job. There’s no way, I would have thought.
And perhaps I should have. It’s been challenging—some days almost intolerable. Having two parents working from home full-time while also caring for a three-year-old and a five-year-old is not something I’d recommend. The math simply doesn’t add up; something (or several things) ends up suffering.
It has tested our marriage, affected my work productivity, and significantly increased the boys’ screen time (which, in turn, has made me less concerned about arbitrary limits). My patience has been worn thin, and my energy has been depleted in ways I might have anticipated but never fully grasped until now. My body has felt the strain. Sleep has dwindled, my hair hasn’t seen a salon in ages, and my sporadic adult acne has made a comeback reminiscent of my second pregnancy.
However… I’ve begun to notice a silver lining. I’ve watched my boys evolve from just being big brother and little brother into true best friends, and that’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything—even three quiet, kid-free hours at the salon.
Our boys transformed from seeing each other a few times a day at daycare to being each other’s everything—playmates, classmates, teammates, and mealtime companions. Together, they’ve become superheroes, scientists, builders, artists, bakers, cyclists, hide-and-seek players, farmers (ha!), and even Rocky and his trainer Mickey for Halloween.
They run, jump, and wrestle. They get loud. And when I yell for them to quiet down, my oldest often replies, “But we’re having so much FUN.” And they truly are. So I shake my head with a smile and say, “Just a little quieter, okay?”
They learn from each other. Our five-year-old’s competitive spirit drives his desire to know things that others do not, making him a natural teacher. When his little brother struggles with something, Big Brother’s initial impatience melts away as he seizes the chance to share his knowledge. He’s guided him through everything from potty training to coloring, and even how to cut down the Christmas tree.
On the other hand, our youngest is laid-back, friendly, and by far the better sharer. His almost constant smile, warm hugs, and reminders that “sharing is caring” sometimes help his big brother be a bit more flexible—just don’t expect him to forgive you for unpausing the iPad while he’s in the bathroom.
Of course, they don’t always get along. They squabble over what to watch, who played with a toy first, and whose turn it is to help with breakfast. They shout at each other and occasionally push or hit. There may have been a bite or two (I may have left out that the little one is only laid-back until he’s not).
But it’s usually just a few minutes before they’re back to being best buddies, and I believe their ability to argue and reconcile will serve them well, along with the friendship lessons they are learning.
Assuming everything goes smoothly, our oldest will start kindergarten in the fall, and our youngest will return to daycare. That day will be bittersweet, and I already find myself getting emotional just thinking about it. We’ll regain some of our freedom, but it will come with a sense of loss after so much time spent together.
I hope this period leaves a lasting, positive impression on my boys. I wish for it to be the foundation of a remarkable friendship—one that is even stronger than it would have been without this strange quarantine adventure. I want the closeness they share now to be etched in their hearts forever, just as I will always treasure the memories of watching their bond flourish during these challenging yet beautiful times.
For more insights into parenting and family dynamics, check out this post on watching brothers grow closer and explore how shared experiences can strengthen sibling relationships. Additionally, if you’re on a journey toward parenthood, Make A Mom offers valuable resources on fertility. For comprehensive information regarding pregnancy, Hopkins Medicine is an excellent resource.
Search Queries:
- How to strengthen sibling bonds
- Fun activities for brothers
- Navigating sibling rivalry
- Tips for parenting young boys
- Creating lasting brotherly friendships
Summary:
Watching my boys transition from mere siblings to best friends during this challenging year has been a remarkable experience. Despite the difficulties of working from home and managing their needs, I cherish the bond they’ve developed. As they prepare to return to school and daycare, I hope the lessons and memories they’ve created together will last a lifetime.
Keyphrase: Watching brothers become best friends
Tags: “home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”