Cultivating Love

I want my kids to grow up being best friends. Don't laugh....because I think it truly can be done. And in not a weird, "I'm-homeschooled-so-I-only-have-my-siblings-as-friends" kind of way. There are lots of moments throughout the day where I fear that this is just a very far fetched dream. Like to today...and yesterday, when J pushed his sisters...again and again. And then again for good measure. And it frustrates me! But I choose to hope. To hold onto "those" fleeting moments....

Little Miss M was scared here...her first real "roller coaster" ride at Knott's Berry Farm, and J grabbed her hand and started consoling and reassuring her. I pray often that this boy's tender heart will always be so compassionate and empathetic.

(he pulled his blankets next to her bed to sleep....I found them like this last night)

We recently started emphasizing to the kids that God gave them very special best friends when he gave them each other. Why is it that we have to intentionally cultivate friendship between our children? When one of them mistreats another, I ask if they would treat [insert some friend's name here] that way. "No, way, Mom! I wouldn't treat them that way!" So we are working to understand that our siblings are worthy of the same treatment.

I feel like I have that above conversation alot. But then there are those times when you get to eavesdrop on a conversation between them. This one between my two oldest....nearly 5 and nearly 4:

"K, are you my best friend?"
"Yes, J, you are my best friend!"
"Oh, thank you!"
"You're welcome"

"Hey, J, are you MY best friend too?"
"Yup, K, I am!"
"Oh thanks!"
"You're welcome too!"

And that was it. They went on with their playing, each with a little grin...that special knowledge that you have a special friend.

Here they are giving each other an "elephant hug" at the zoo...

So I think we will keep working on it. Looks like it might be worth it in the end.