Siblings prove to be different
Take a boy turning 2. Add a girly girl turning 2. What do you get? Pure delightful entertainment at its finest. Then hear them call you “Grandma” as they come running with hugs and it’s indeed priceless.
Many parents reflect amazement that their children are so very different despite being raised with the same rules in the same environment. Supportive, positive parenting very obviously makes an impact on any child’s life as they learn, build confidence, and develop skills and habits.
No doubt about it, everyone is born with different likes and talents. People can successfully develop a habit by intentionally working at it, but it will never be as natural as someone born with the trait.
There are, however, reasons why siblings show different emotions and trust levels. Over the years, parents change. Maybe they’re at a different stage in life, a different age, different financial comfort by the time younger children arrive.
Experience, life circumstances and varied stress levels certainly factor into play. Rules may lighten up. Older siblings think the younger ones have it easy. Multiple children and exhaustion sometimes find parents allowing whatever a child wants if it means peace and quiet.
What about twins? Except in some circumstances, twins have always been together even before they were born. Each experiences whatever stage the parent is in at the same time. They are exposed to the same opportunities at the same time. Yet like all siblings, their different interests and natural instincts form unique personalities from day one.
Stories I’ve heard include twin girls who are buddies but opposites. The competitive, aggressive, freckled red-headed tomboy likes sports. Her dark-haired sister with finer features prefers shopping to accommodate her frilly, feminine interests.
In one family, one of the twins has the same temperament as her older brother and the other twin marches to the beat of her own drum.
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