The other week my 3 year old son decided to give his 4 year old brother a shove, to which he responded by punching him square in the face. Ba boom! Smacko!
Tears galore!
A few days later on the way home from kindy Finley (the 3 year old who I might add JUST turned 3 in December) announced that he had a girlfriend.
He’s only been attending kindergarten for 3 short weeks and yet he declares proudly that he has indeed got one and they hold hands (so help me God!).
Then the conversation got going between the two boys in the backseat of the car:
Finn: I have a girlfriend Cohen
Cohen: What’s her name?
Finn: Kathryn (the name of Cohen’s ‘girlfriend’ of the last 6 months)
Cohen: No, Kathryn’s MY girlfriend
Finn: No! She’s MY girlfriend
Cohen: (Getting upset) No Finley, she’s mine
Finn: No, she wants me now
Cohen: *insert tears*
Finn: She doesn’t want you anymore
Cohen: Muuuuummy! *insert wailing*
I seriously thought I had at least 10 more years to wait before I heard this kind of conversation take place! Cos let’s be honest, at some point in time they are going to like the same girl. In this instance my 3 year old (going on 13) was just stirring the pot for the sake of it because:
1. He’s not in the same class as Kathryn and therefore he is talking absolute rubbish; and 2. He takes great pleasure in making his older brother cry.
In the meantime they just fight over me.
The next day the same thing occurred. They argue and then one ends up crying.
And the day after that.
Since Finn turned 3 he has started becoming more interested in all the things that Cohen likes and they have started to compete over friggin EVERYTHING. And I mean everything!
Here is a short list of things they’ve fought over this week:
- Who can get to the front door first
- Who can open the front door first
- Who can beat mummy to the front door first
- Who can get to the car first
- Who can get in the car first
- Who can get to the mailbox first
- Who gets the mail out of the box first
- Who can get to their bed first
- Who can splash the highest in the bath
- Who gets the tablet first
- Who gets the blue cup
- Who gets the green cup
- Who loves mummy more
- Who loves daddy more
I’m sure by now you get the gist.
Then there’s the fights over the one toy they both decide they want at the same time, the one bike of 6 bikes that they both want to ride, who’s going to hold the watering can to help me water the garden, who’s teddy bears are who’s (the teddy bears that have lain sad and neglected for months before one decides to pick one up and therefore the other wants it). They fought because Finley took the teddy’s clothes off and Cohen thought he would get cold. Because ‘he touched me!’. Because one wanted the light on and one didn’t.
About who can make the pee come out of their ‘noodle’ first (seriously?!).
The competing and fighting doesn’t bother me as much as the CRYING. Oh the feckin’ CRYING!
The crying of whichever child loses does my head in! They cry and wail and scream. You would think the world had come to an end the way the loser carries on. What’s worse than a sore loser? TWO sore losers.
Imagine if adults carried on that way!
- You gave him his coffee before me! (This to the barista at the local cafe before throwing yourself to the floor and thrashing around while wailing)
- You got more wine in your glass than I got in mine! (To the waiter as you propel your high heel at his head)
- You bet me to the frozen foods aisle! (Stand next to frozen peas bawling your eyes out)
- That milk is mine, I don’t want the other 30 milk cartons in the fridge, I want THAT one! (Attempt to snatch the milk from a strangers hands while screaming bloody murder)
- That’s MY carpark! (Oh wait, this one actually happens regularly)
Can you imagine the road rage (you probably can!) and the bitch fights in Kmart?! Holy hell, it would be a war zone! Broken crockery and the mascara streaked faces of women wailing everywhere (on second thought you could probably just visit a night club on a Friday night around 2am to see that).
And the dads be all fighting over a trolley in Bunnings or a box of beer at the local bottle shop.
I seriously give huge props to anyone who works in childcare or kindergarten the world over. Kudos to you!
Do you have kids who compete and fight over everything too? What do you do about it?
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Hopefully it’ll get out of their systems young and they’ll grow up to be besties!
Hopefully! I need them to watch out for each other as teenagers or I’ll lose my mind!
omg this post is hilarious, totally me and my sister!
♥ Ellen #NZblogger
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Thanks Ellen! Mine too (as kids anyway!). Haha.
Oh man I hear you! Why is getting to the front door first so important?!? It’s not like you’re going to leave without them!
Claire @ Life on Wallace recently posted…Sweet Preserves Workshop at Cornersmith
I KNOW!!!! Why?!
Hahahahaha! I wish we could express ourselves the way kids do – I’m sure we’d all be a lot calmer, letting those emotions out! Mind you, there might be a lot fewer of us as well! I don’t envy you two boys, but it sure sounds like you have plenty to keep you from getting bored! And just think what awesome bonds they’re forming with every little battle. Just invest in some earplugs for the crying (my son is a wailer too, what is with that?) and enjoy the peace and quiet!
Emily M Morgan recently posted…An Interview With Lucy Cousins
Certainly not bored! Hahaha. Every time I turn around they’re fighting, naked or saying or doing something entertaining. Not all at the same time. Usually. Sometimes.
Oh hon, this is MY HOUSE! My boys are 3 and 5 and this is pretty much how my days sound at the moment. Mr 3 is even more jealous at the moment because Mr 5 has started school and is learning to read and write, which he desperately wants to do as well. So he mimics EVERYTHING his older brother does, which drives Mr 5 nuts.
Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side recently posted…7 things that happen when Mum has a broken ankle
Yep, I can see how you could relate Bec! Later this year Cohen can go fishing on the boat with daddy because he is turning 5 but Finn will still be too young at 3. I anticipate more fights in my future!
I think people in child care centres and schools are angels from heaven. ANGELS!
My kids are actually far enough apart in age that they don’t fight. Much. Plus one’s a boy and one’s a girl. So I’ve never really had this issue I guess. It turns out that the 4 year difference seems to be enough to stop the competition. Mostly. Sometimes. Or something.
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted…Day 2322 – Rhyming Slang
I clearly planned this out all wrong! Haha. Actually, I didn’t plan a small gap at all it just turned out this way! Im hoping they’ll be great mates later, hopefully not stealing each others girlfriends!!
This all sounds pretty normal to me. Mine don’t fight over getting somewhere first, just stirring each other to the point of swearing
Natalie @ our parallel connection recently posted…8 early signs your child may need an orthodontist
Yeah, I imagine the fights as they get older to probably be a bit more full on verbally! Right now they’re more pushy and shovey, though the 3 year old LOVES to stir!
awww that’s sad but cute lol they’ll probably grow up to be great friends though.
I was definitely foe with my sister and our fights were worse than that, and still are….
lu @ looking for mama me recently posted…Toddler vs Newborn – Tips from a Pro with Teacher Types
Mine are lovers and haters. One minute they love one another and the next they’re scrapping! Haha. I try to just leave them to sort it out themselves most of the time.
I’m giggling at the thought of going toe to toe with a stranger over a bottle of milk. That would be hilarious!
The fighting is exhausting. There’s nothing that wears you down quicker I think than kids that can’t get along with each other.
EssentiallyJess recently posted…Slow #IBOT
If you get bored test it out and see how it goes Jess! Little social experiment! Haha.
I only have the 1 child, so can’t really comment. Although, I was an only child and competed with my cousins. I had to win at everything!!
Kelly recently posted…BEING JUDGED OVER GOLDFISH – Guest Post
I think most kids do!
You pretty just described every day of my life for the last couple of months. The older Zee gets the worse it gets. She will be 3 in July and already the Threenager is coming through loud and clear. Add that to her sometimes aggressive, always over-sensitive 20-months-older sister and it’s total mayhem. Somedays I seriously consider googling “voice box removal”.
In some ways, having kids close together is the best. In other ways, such as their overlapping stage, it was such a mistake, lol!
Kylie Purtell recently posted…Seven {2016 52 week project} | Photography
Haha Kylie, I hear ya! I think 3 is a hard age anyway but add that to a sibling they can fight with and it gets harder! Or worse. Whichever way you want to look at it!
Oh Haidee, I feel your pain. I have a 15 yo daughter and a 13 yo son and they are as different as night and day. They fight over absolutely ANYTHING, and this has been happening continuously since they were very young. My daughter says she always wanted a sister, not a brother, so it’s not her fault! OMG! Now they are teens, they lose their technology if we tell them to stop it and they don’t – or I turn off the wifi modem, that works wonders, he he he! The secret is to find a consequence that REALLY matters to them. Being off social media for more than a few minutes is social death to a teen!
Lyndall @ SeizeTheDayProject recently posted…How to find more time in your day
OMG, 15 and 13 and STILL FIGHTING! So help me God (and so help you too! That must be so irritating!). Right now I find it rather amusing but as teens I don’t think I would.
I’d cry too if someone else at the table got more wine poured in their glass! 🙂 Our toddler doesn’t argue per se, with his seven year old brother. The other day we warned the seven year old that he was annoying his brother and that he needed to stop before the toddler retaliated. A minute later he was still annoying his younger brother and suddenly the seven year old came running into the room crying, “he just punched me in the nuts!” I get the feeling there are going to be a lot more incidents like this. Husband is one of four boys very close in age, he says they were always fighting / wrestling / annoying each other. Its normal 🙂
Emma @ Life, kids and a glass of red recently posted…Why you should never go shopping without your kids
Haha, yes, I have heard this is pretty normal!! Especially with boys.
Yup. Our house too. My son (2.5yrs) seems to take great delight in upsetting his sister (4yrs). My son says things like, “She’s my mum not yours.” And the biggest fight is always over who gets served their food first. Oh my goodness. I hope this all settles soon!
They fight over the stupidist stuff don’t they? I have yet to have that one liner but I know I pulled it out on my step sister as a kid!
Ummm yes, I have 5 and 3 year old boys. It’s Baby Fight Club at my house every day.
Baby Fight Club! Bahahaha!
My two fight over who gets to press the doorbell when we get home. Even though no one is home to answer it! And they fight over who gets the biggest piece of ANYTHING, who gets to collect the mail, who gets to hand me the pegs when I’m hanging out washing… IT. IS. RELENTLESS!!!
Rachel recently posted…The Mummy Who Wants To Fall Asleep
I’m feeling ya! I am! Sometimes I find it hilarious (like the conversation over the girlfriend) and sometimes I find it annoying as hell!
Scarily, I can imagine some adults doing those things!!
It would be quite the sight!
I hear you. The girls are fighting a lot lately too. There are moments of peace and lovely playing together, but for the most part they are screaming at each other. The three year old is a shocker for hitting and shoving. God alive. Hopefully it will all go back to normal soon.
Fingers crossed! It’s draining isn’t it?
Oh this brings back memories! I had twin boys who fought from the moment they could move. It used to drive me insane. They are both 23 now. A nice glass of wine or two at night used to help me out! 😉 xo
Please tell me they no longer fight?!
There is a 5 year age gap between my two, so luckily the fighting never fot that bad. Fighting over what to watch on telly, was always the worst one. #waywow
Tracey Abrahams recently posted…Cake – A Parody Song To The Tune of Vogue
Oh yes, I forgot about that! My 4 year old is going on 13 with what he thinks he should be watching! I tend to disagree.
Haha this is actually hilarious – fighting over a girl! Brilliant! How cunning is Finn?! I think it might be more fun if adults DID behave like 4 year olds! My two still play very nicely nearly all the time currently, but they’re younger than yours & I’m sure it won’t last! #WAYWOW
Silly Mummy recently posted…Toddler History
I think it’s pretty hilarious too. Most of the time!
The worst thing is that mere seconds after the five-minute argument about WHO HAD THE BLUE CUP FIRST ME ME IT WAS ME IT’S MINE GIVE IT BACK!!!, the blue cup will be discarded on the floor. No-one actually wants it.
My kids used to fight a bit, but not too much. Then when A started school, it wasn’t much because they just missed each other too much. Now she’s settled in and is really enjoying playing with kids at her stage, so she gets easily frustrated with M at home. (There’s almost three years between them.) So we now have more fights than ever.
Sigh. We’ll get there. Great post. x
Emily recently posted…Mirror, Mirror
YES! They fight for the sake of winning, not cos they actually WANT it. Drives me batty!
I’m sorry I laughed because I know you must be so frustrated dealing with all of this! But competing over peeing is pretty hilarious!
I’m a teacher and although I think they’re easier by the time they get to me (I teach secondary school so 12+) – there’s still some pretty pathetic fights over nonsense!
Hopefully you’ll laugh over all this in the years to come xx
Hmm, yes it is pretty funny except in their haste to win they miss the toilet bowl half the time! BOYS!
I have sons that are 1 and almost 3. So you have me terrified! 😉 They have JUST started “fighting” over toys since the baby is finally mobile. I think I’m in for it too!
Erin @ Stay At Home Yogi recently posted…A Simple Smash Cake | Happy Birthday R!
Yes, sorry Erin! Prepare yourself now and stock up on that wine, chocolate or whatever it is that’s your vice! Maybe earplugs?
Oh Haidee, you sure have your hands full don’t you? Never a dull moment at your house is there? My kids are 8 years apart until I never had an issue with them wanting the same thing at the same time. Well, most of the time anyways! It sounds like the boys will end up being the best of friends but for now know my thoughts are with you my friend!
I’m sure they will and this last week since writing this they have been! Maybe it was just a phase and we’re out the other side now?! I can dream!
Haidee recently posted…Out With The Old & In With The New: Using KonMari To Get Rid Of The ‘Stuff’ In Your Life
I hear you! It starts first thing in the morning with ‘who gets to hug Mummy first’.
I’ve got two arms and you can both count to two = I can damn well hug you both at the same bleeding time!!!
Hahaha! Yes! I am constantly being clambered over and we have more than one chair but if I’m on it then they both are on it too! I mean, the love is nice and all but I hear ya!!
This rings bells! I don’t how kindgergarton teachers do it. They deserve the biggest medal going 🙂 #thelist
Emma recently posted…The Tots100 MAD awards nominations
Oh yes, I relate to this one a lot! I have three childrem aged 2, 4.5 and 6 – and although at times my heart melts with their beautiful friendships, they fight A LOT. Over everything and nothing. Who gets to sit in a particular chair at the dinner table, you have him his gravy first, I want the blue plate etc etc. I remember being the same with my brothers. It’s draining some days but I guess it is just part of sibling life. x
Meant to say I found you on #thelist
Cardiff Mummy Says – Cathryn recently posted…10 things you’ll know if you have a child obsessed with Rainbow Magic books