Sibling Fights

I knew we'd get to this stage but never did I imagine it'd be so soon and in this manner. Chubbocks who's always been a super gentle child is all the more gentle with his sister, except once in a while when he gets into snatch and grab. Puddi, it turns out, is going to be infinitely more trouble. Already starting to get defiant ( kaloonga!), she has started bullying Chubbocks. And unfortunately, human nature being what it is, as soon as she sets up a wail, the first reaction is to check what the elder one did. I did it again last night. I was having a late dinner, having traipsed home from work only at 9, and the kids were playing. Suddenly, Puddi sets up a wail. "What did you do?" I asked Chubbocks. Poor guy, his face fell and he said, "I only did the work you told me - I put my frisbees up on the bed so Puddi won't jump on them."

I immediately apologised to him and scolded Puddi who stopped wailing as soon as she realised that wasn't going to get her the frisbees back ( cunning little thing!). Puddi also has started getting a little jealous. Both the kids rush to fling themselves at me and A as soon as we get home, catching hold of one leg each before we've even made it fully through the door. Yesterday, when A got home and the kids did that, Puddi apparently pushed away Chubs and poked him and even hit him. In fact, I've noticed her saying, "Maaloonga" ( I'll hit), to Chubbocks quite a few times and actually hitting him. Whenever we are home, we immediately admonish her. In fact it happened this morning while we were having tea, and as I scolded Puddi and told her she was being bad and that I wouldn't play with her if she hit Chubbocks, Chubboo, that soft-hearted little fellow turns to me and says, "But she's so cute, mamma."

It really breaks my heart sometimes to see this little guy being the big brother - endlessly protective and loving, freely willing to share his toys and books and games, even while he's dealing with his own growing up - being put upon by this tiny brat of a girl. I'm going to have to keep a stern eye on the li'l un and make sure she doesn't chouse Chubbocks out of his due just because she's smaller and he's gentler. I shudder to think what further mayhem will ensue when the third one joins the gang!