Day 74: Bonding
This is something I’d hoped would happen during this pandemic.
The four older kids, stuck at home together day after day, have grown closer together and are getting to know one another better than ever before.
We’ve always cherished family time, but it was typically in the form of watching movies, playing board games, or going on excursions and vacations together in between the hours spent at school, work, daycare, sports, and with friends.
Now we’ve taken away most of that equation.
They’re beginning to know one another in a new way – who is a morning person, who isn’t. Who takes their time getting ready in the morning, who’s most reliable for getting chores or other tasks done, who is the best confidante, the best walking or bike-riding buddy, the most likely to play a game or take on an art project together, who needs quiet time and when, who knows the most about space (Hannah) or pop culture (Alyssa and Brooke) or random science facts (Christian).
These are all qualities they’ve seen in one another in snippets, but over the past two-and-a-half months there have been more hours spent side-by-side and while they can get on each other’s nerves (a lot), they also appreciate each other more.
Today this was evident in so many ways.
Brooke and Hannah spent time together while waiting for Alyssa to make their lunch, putting stick-on fake nails onto the five-year-old (which have now become source of great pride and joy). Christian helped Hannah with her letter H worksheet while I was busy, and he was her faithful companion on a bike ride at lunch. They all somewhat gently reminded each other to get chores done at the end of the day. Everyone ventured into the kitchen together to have a snack and actually carry on a full conversation for a few minutes.
There were plans made for the weekend involving time with siblings, splashing in the little wading pool we picked up for the younger set and tanning in the back yard for the older two.
Maybe they don’t see it, maybe they do – I’m a little afraid to ask. But since homeschooling started in March these guys have fought less (that’s not to say they don’t, because they still know how to push buttons when they want to), hung out more, and genuinely enjoyed each other like they never have before – except maybe when we took them to Disneyland, but then you can’t help yourself in the Happiest Place on Earth.
I’ve said I want them to take away the positives from these weeks spent at home, and this is one the things I hope they cling to the most. Togetherness, closeness with siblings is a beautiful gift and one that is irreplaceable as time goes on.
For my part, I’m grateful for these months, for granting my children the chance to develop a tighter bond and learn how to live together better, love together better. I’m thankful for the opportunity to see my kids in a different light and get more in touch with their unique personalities.
If that’s the only side effect we have from COVID-19, I’m a lucky mom.
Krista Conrad, OkotoksToday.ca
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