“Am I my brother’s keeper?” I’ve never uttered those words because I don’t have any siblings, but I am raising them. I must regularly ask my husband if the way our children are relating is normal.
Something we see in our children that is different in our children’s relationships with each other is that they really are best friends. Something we have been teaching our children since they were very young is that their siblings are their best friends. We have not allowed our children to call their friends best friends because we know that friendships come and go and sometimes influences sour.
Having your best friend be your little brother can be difficult because sometimes he is annoying, does dumb things, and breaks your stuff. But the thing with a little brother is that you can’t just ditch him for another one at recess tomorrow. He is still going to be there when you wake up in the morning. He is still going to want to play with you and your toys and thinks you are the most amazing human God ever created (besides Daddy and Mama). You are going to have to figure out how to work things out so that you can both have a better day working and playing together, even after fighting about something the night before. You will eventually realize it is worth the work to serve and care for your little brother because it honors God and makes a peaceful home for everyone.
Being best friends with your little brother or sister, big brother or sister is that it is pretty awesome practice for being best friends with your spouse. They are going to sometimes be annoying, do dumb things and break your stuff. They are going to be there when you wake up in the morning, want to be with you and your toys, because they think you are the most amazing human God ever created. You will have to figure out how to work things out so you can both have better days working and playing, even after fighting about something the night before. You will eventually realize it is worth the work to serve and care for your spouse because it honors God and makes a peaceful home for everyone.
Many parents don’t put the work into helping their children build deep relationships with their siblings because they don’t realize it’s a perfect training ground for being a good, self-sacrificial, communicative spouse and parent. Don’t let this chance pass you and your children by. Use the gift of siblingship God has given your children as a workout gym to train them to be ready for healthy marriages.
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the
flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13
Take some time to thank God for your children having siblings to train them to be self-sacrificial and serving spouses.