<r>As the mother of a four-year-old and an infant, I am just now coming to understand the true relationship between an older sibling and a younger sibling. My boys are both very fascinated with each other, and I can tell that they are already developing a brotherly bond. I feel so lucky, as a parent, to be able to stand by and watch this relationship bloom! Of course, given their age differences, they are both on very different ends of the sibling spectrum.<br/>
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For instance, my four-month-old can’t do much more than watch his older brother in awe. Everything he does is always the most interesting thing going on by far. Just by crashing his toy monster trucks together or aiding Spiderman in an epic jump off of the window sill, my older son becomes my younger son’s biggest hero and most fascinating form of entertainment. I get the feeling he appreciates his older brother when he shows up holding a pacifier or a toy when the tears start to flow. Sometimes, just for no reason at all, he will lay next to him on the floor and talk to him. I imagine he also enjoys the attention when my oldest points out how “cute” his tiny hands and feet are. Each time he gains his older brother’s attention, there is undoubtedly a toothless smile on his face.<br/>
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My four-year-old now has a much better, living and breathing version of a baby doll. He enjoys trying to take off and put on his clothes, pushing him in the stroller, and buckling his car seat straps. He now has a special little person that belongs to him - everywhere we go, you are sure to hear “This is <I><s><I></s>my<e></I></e></I> brother!” He now has another person to talk to, which means he will set up his matchbox cars and roll them all around his bouncy seat, all the while describing how the cop car is chasing the orange car to tell him that he’s going too fast. The baby is a very good listener! Most of all, he also gets to feel important! Whenever his baby brother needs something, he can be a big helper. He very much enjoys helping Mommy with little things such as bringing a diaper or a toy, or pulling a wipe from the wipes container. <br/>
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One of the main reasons my husband and I decided to have another child was because we wanted our son to have a friend, a companion to grow up and experience the world with. I’m so happy we made this decision, because even though I thought it would take some time for them to become important to each other, I believe that they are already close and are only becoming closer everyday. Don’t get me wrong, I know there is plenty of fighting and sibling rivalry ahead of me. It isn’t all rainbows and butterflies, but I am so happy to see that there are so many benefits to parenting brothers.</r>
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For instance, my four-month-old can’t do much more than watch his older brother in awe. Everything he does is always the most interesting thing going on by far. Just by crashing his toy monster trucks together or aiding Spiderman in an epic jump off of the window sill, my older son becomes my younger son’s biggest hero and most fascinating form of entertainment. I get the feeling he appreciates his older brother when he shows up holding a pacifier or a toy when the tears start to flow. Sometimes, just for no reason at all, he will lay next to him on the floor and talk to him. I imagine he also enjoys the attention when my oldest points out how “cute” his tiny hands and feet are. Each time he gains his older brother’s attention, there is undoubtedly a toothless smile on his face.<br/>
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<IMG src="http://i330.photobucket.com/albums/l421/Xeromantic/002-6.jpg"><s>
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My four-year-old now has a much better, living and breathing version of a baby doll. He enjoys trying to take off and put on his clothes, pushing him in the stroller, and buckling his car seat straps. He now has a special little person that belongs to him - everywhere we go, you are sure to hear “This is <I><s><I></s>my<e></I></e></I> brother!” He now has another person to talk to, which means he will set up his matchbox cars and roll them all around his bouncy seat, all the while describing how the cop car is chasing the orange car to tell him that he’s going too fast. The baby is a very good listener! Most of all, he also gets to feel important! Whenever his baby brother needs something, he can be a big helper. He very much enjoys helping Mommy with little things such as bringing a diaper or a toy, or pulling a wipe from the wipes container. <br/>
<br/>
One of the main reasons my husband and I decided to have another child was because we wanted our son to have a friend, a companion to grow up and experience the world with. I’m so happy we made this decision, because even though I thought it would take some time for them to become important to each other, I believe that they are already close and are only becoming closer everyday. Don’t get me wrong, I know there is plenty of fighting and sibling rivalry ahead of me. It isn’t all rainbows and butterflies, but I am so happy to see that there are so many benefits to parenting brothers.</r>
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