This week I have watched my children work together, cooperate, look out for each other. They have still fought, shouted, whinged and moaned; but there have been moments of thought and care and understanding.
Last week was Spring Break and we had a fun holiday. Lots of outings and activities. These photos are from our trips to a museum and the zoo. Both of these outings surprised me; in the way the kids interacted and reacted. Perhaps I don’t give them enough credit, perhaps I have become too used to the tired and grumpy after school bickering. But, I have to admit that on both of these trips they surprised me.
The boys looked out for their little sister, showing her things and playing with her. The boys worked together on various activities at the museum; unprompted. Each of these photos was an unguarded moment, caught when they didn’t now I was watching them.
It gave me pause, because it was unexpected. And, it shouldn’t have been. They are good kids, and they do get on; they are very close. But, we have been so busy, everyone has been tired, or sick, and I think it has got the better of us. We have been snappy, irritated and shouty – I am probably the worst culprit.
What more of a reminder did we all need to take a break and just enjoy? To make time for unstructured, unprompted fun. For me to stop organising them, worrying they would fight or whine, and let them just enjoy themselves and each other.
Sometimes we all need a little pause to be able to appreciate little things. I love the first photo, shows how much they enjoy teaching little sister about the things around them.
Thank you x We definitely need to take a breath sometimes x
Lovely post, I love it when it all comes together and they surprise you!
Thank you, a couple of special outings x
Lovely photos and very true! I can so relate. I think all the pressures of everyday life get to the kids and the parents which leads to a lot of arguing and moaning, but when the pressure is off everyone is much happier in each others’ company.
I agree completely, we’ve had a tough few weeks with illness and crazy schedules. Some down time was definitely needed x
That’s just what makes or breaks a family outing, not where you go but how the children (and husband) behave towards one another! Great shots for being of guard. #MagicMoments
You are quite right, it really doesn’t matter where we are, just as long as everyone can join in and have fun x
Ah, this is lovely, Sara. I love it when my two get on, and sort activities together, while I’m busy, as I can hear or see them giggling and chatting away. It can be difficult to lose sight of it when you’;re under the weather, so it’s nice to spot it again x
Absolutely right Jocelyn, we’d been under such a cloud of bugs and tiredness, it was lovely to take a step back x
Sounds like Spring Break came just at the right time for you guys. I bet you are one proud mummy… there’s some very happy and content looking siblings in those pics.
It couldn’t have come soon enough! I was very pleased when I flicked through the photos :)
Its lovely to have a proper break sometimes and I think it brings everyone back together again especially when there’s been lots of bugs about. Lovely photos.
Absolutely, it was so nice that no one was ill!
Again I love how your eldest is checking if your youngest is okay. There is just so much love and such a lad! Did i just use lad? Hopefully I used it right =P #magicmoments
Thank you Merlinda, and yes, you did use lad in the right way :)
Lovely post! I sometimes have to stop myself when we have time off work and school etc. from planning to much. Children just sometimes need to be… :)
You are so right Emma, and I have a tendency to feel that we need to be doing something or they aren’t having a ‘proper’ holiday!
Like you I sometimes forget how amazing my kids are at looking after each other – you’re right that term times seems a whirlwind of rushing and bickering and grumbles, and it’s in the holidays that we all relax into ourselves a bit more :) #magicmoments
Yes, it’s making sure that we take a breath during the holidays that can be tricky, too used to being busy!
That’s the beauty of free play my lovely :) Glad it’s been a good break #MagicMoments
It is indeed :) Thank you x
I think it’s lovely when they reach the age of working and playing together, rather than being one man bands. Lovely pictures.
#MagicMoments
Thank you, it is lovely to watch x
Lovely thoughts! Siblings do have such a love-hate relationship, and I agree about allowing time for unstructured fun.
Thank you x It’s such a strong relationship, but it can be tough at times.
It is great to see your children get on and look for each other, isn’t it. My kids are 5 and 2 and have a very close relationship and I really hope it continues for many many years. I agree with the after school tiredness, especially as B goes to after school club 2 days a week, on those days it is try and get her to bed as soon as possible so we don’t all get grumpy and then we have fun on the other days.
School really takes it out of them, doesn’t it? I try not to plan too much in the afternoons x
It’s hard sometimes to step back isn’t it? But you clearly have 3 great kids there and I’m.glad you all enjoyed spring break xx
Thank you x You need to just let them get on with it sometimes :)
What lovely captures of them all working together, lovely to see #MagicMoments
Thank you, they were good days :)
It’s so true that need to step back and take a check that we don’t need to structure or plan for rows from time to time, I feel that way about our days out, I worry ahead of the train journey but then I’m usually pleasantly surprised by how we all get on!
I find they are much better when we’re out and about, and they do surprise me! It’s when boredom sets in at home…!
It’s really lovely to have siblings, even though like you said, yes there will be fights etc… But the bond they have for each other outweighs all the “negatives”. Now if only it were easy to get pregnant ….
It is, the fun times definitely outweigh the bickering x We had a tough time second time around x
It’s lovely when siblings get along and help each other. As a parent, it really fills your heart with love, doesn’t it?! :) #whatsthestory
Yes, it does – makes you realise you must be doing something right x
So lovely to see the siblings all working together and helping each other out – makes it all worthwhile. X #whatsthestory
It really does x
Sounds like spring break was just what you needed:) I too struggle with the post school exhausted kids slot.
It really was! Weekdays are tough, school really tires them out.
Such great photos Sara. It must have been wonderful to see them like this, there’s a lovely togetherness about them. I can’t imagine you being grumpy, you always seem so smiley! Lovely post, thank you so much for sharing #whatsthestory
Oh, I have my moments Charly :) It was a lovely few days x
A lovely post, I always enjoy seeing my daughter share, encourage and help others. It comes more now as she gets older.
My oldest is wonderful with the wee girl, and his teacher recently said to me that she could ‘see the big brother in him’ which I thought was lovely x
I was reading another post about how term time seems to bring out the shouty side of parenting, and holidays bring out our appreciation of our children. I think this is echoed in this post- it is so wonderful to see the best of our children, when the pace of life allows us.
A lovely post, and wonderful photographs reinforcing their bond.
Thank you Debbie, holidays can be hard work, but I love them, it’s wonderful to spend time with the kids without always being in a rush. I’m certainly less grumpy x
Bless them, they all look so cute together x
Thank you x
What a lovely post Sara. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day norm of rushing around and the pressure it puts on and our relationships isn’t it? I’ve been reading a book called The Happiness Project, have you seen it? One of the chapters is about our relationships with our children and lots of it rings true to this :)
Absolutely, I’m terrible for it. I have heard people mention The Happiness Project, must check it out :)
That must be such a lovely thing to witness #whatsthestory
It is, they are lovely together, just need to remind myself of that when they are bickering :)
Lovely photos, I remember fighting with my sisters all the time, it must have driven my mum and dad mad.
It’s funny how you look at things like that differently once you have your own children :)
Aww this is so lovely. Its great to see our little ones working together to achieve goals and more importantly to watch out for one another. Lovely post. x #Magicmoments
Thank you Debs x
Time together is indeed an investment in our family unit. Thank you for reminding us. Hayley
It really is, too easy to forget sometimes x
It is always nice when siblings can do things together and have one common purpose… even if this is only a temporary one ;-)
Absolutely, and it is generally temporary :)
Sometimes in the holidays I plan too much and mine are happy just being at home x
I do that too, but mine quite like having a lazy day at home!
Sometimes when we are tired we cant see beyond that. During The holiday break you were able to see the kids interacting and caring probably because you were not stressed with other things. The pictures are lovely .
I think you’re right, it’s nice to be able to stop for awhile x
this is beautiful Sara .. thank you for linking up with #MagicMoments (sorry i am late visiting) x
Thanks Jaime, and no worries, you’re busy! Thanks for hosting x