Sibling Bonds and Bites

Today, after a lot of morning activities, the kids and I visited Dad at work.  It was born more out of necessity than anything else.  Nick forgot his lunch at home, and I needed to eat before we went to the grocery store.  I was a little concerned that we may be approaching melt down central, and I entered the shop with crossed fingers.

Both kids were so happy to see their dad, that there were no tantrums in sight.  They both wanted to snuggle with him immediately, but took turns, and ate their lunches too.  I felt like I was on a hidden camera show.  Seriously?  This easy?  Never.  Nick even offered to go to the grocery store for me.  He promised it would be easy, no one would come in, the kids would watch an online movie, and he would be back right away.  He was almost right.

After he left, a costumer came in right away.  He didn't need much, and the kids didn't kill each other while I was helping him, so I felt ahead of the game.  Then another costumer came in, one I knew, and all hell broke loose.  As I was talking to the customer/friend, I glanced into the office just in time to see Christian clamping down on Tessie's hand with his mouth.  Before I could reach them, I could tell the damage had been done.  Tessie started to wail as I lifted her out of the chair she had been sharing with her brother.  As I held her in my arms she grew silent, a moment that any parent will tell you only announces the storm to come.  Sure enough, just as Nick walked in the door, Tes let out a cry, unparallelled by anything our friend had borne witness too before.  He quickly excused himself.

Upon examining Tessie's hand, and the toothmarks in her fingers, we asked Christian to apologize to his sister.  He did, but after a few giggles and snide remarks, and I'm not sure the gravity of the situation really sunk in.  But the beautiful part of this story is this; Tes got back in the chair with her brother.  They continued to watch cartoons on the computer, and they found that sibling bond, once again.

I peeked in the office a few minutes later to see them, heads bent together, deep in conversation.  Tessie was holding her hand up for her brother to see.  "It hurts me when you bite me, Christian." she said.  "And it made me really sad."  He nodded at her with solemn eyes.  For all the silly, complicated drama they find themselves in now, I know it will only get worse.  If they are lucky enough to keep this bond alive, then I think they will be able to handle anything.  And that would be a beautiful thing.