Squabbling Sisters Can Grow Up to be Best Friends

Here’s another post in my series of “sister posts.” Today I am here to give mothers of young squabbling sisters some hope. Because guess what? I can attest that those sisters have the power to grow up to be the best of friends.

And it is pretty glorious to behold.

My Realization that These Sisters Have Become Best Friends

I came to this realization that those once squabbling little girls of mine have vanished and become true friends a couple weeks ago. Oh I knew it before…they have looked out for each other for a while now. But you know how sometimes there’s a moment when a truth really hits you?

This was it.

My three middle girls were traipsing around San Francisco in Elle’s own stomping grounds. The pictures they sent me kept popping up on my phone.

At first I was dying to transport myself to be with them. Oh I just sure love them and want to be part of everything!

But then that wish transformed itself into incredible gratitude that they love each other so much. And they don’t need me there to help facilitate those friendships. How beautiful is that? I was so grateful that they wanted so much to be together that they made plans for this special trip right as soon as Claire got home from her mission.

Each one wanting with all their hearts to be together.

They Weren’t Always Best Friends

Oh they weren’t always that close. They certainly had their fair share of squabbles growing up. And we laugh about their past silly fights and petty annoyances now (that still happen from time to time, of course).

I mean, age difference alone put them in such different stages. Little sisters can be super annoying too, am I right?

But somehow along the way there’s learning to be done. There’s service to be rendered to each other amidst the muddle and chaos of growing up. And then suddenly there’s one day when a picture pops up on your phone and you realize, BAM! These guys really love each other.

A Trip to Palo Alto

Exactly a week after Claire arrived home, she set off on an adventure to visit Elle. Elle had been such a big support to her on her mission and she was dying to spend a little time with her. Grace would be joining them for the weekend so she could get her work/school in, but at first it was just these two:

Togetherness is one thing, but to choose to spend part of that togetherness at an art museum??

Motherhood pay-off right there I tell you!

Carson was there too, which was an added bonus.

Then Grace arrived to join the party:

And every picture was a little gem to me.

Oh there are so many more pictures. So many details and so much goodness in those precious days they had together.

But that’s not my story to tell.

My part of the story is that my heart swelled up ten sizes watching that trip from afar.

Taking in so much beauty.

Together.

Adult sisters who are now best friends.

I will say, this was one of my favorites that Carson sent me:

Oh yeah. The Pothier travel jump. They are still part of us. Just spinning off to create their own relationships.

Reminded me of early days living far apart when my sisters and I made big sacrifices to be together when we moved far apart from each other.

There’s just something about sisters.

And I’m so grateful they have each other!

**Although this post is about my three older girls, LUCY of course is included in the sisters as best friends dealio. She is in a different stage of life to be sure, but she is blossoming into that friendship understanding. Especially with Claire home. More on that soon. And also ABBY!! I don’t know that any of these girls could get luckier than having that bonus sister who asks the best questions, loves them all up, and adds so much to their sisterhood.

Tips for Helping Sisters Become Friends

I don’t have all the secrets for helping sisters become best friends. They would have surely figured out these friendships without me. But I do think there are some things that can help if you’re working on this in your own family.

• Tutors & Tutees – When kids are assigned to help each other with things, they are bound to fall in love with each other. That’s just what happens when you reach outside of yourself and serve.
• Family Travel – There is nothing like uninterrupted road trips or traveling together to help kids learn to get along. Being in a confined space together without friends around is bound to help kids bond.
• The “Fighting” (or Repenting!) Bench – I am convinced that having a spot where kids learn to make amends on the small things leads to incredible understanding of how to make amends on the big things.
• Ten Ideas to Foster Strong Sibling Relationships – Lots more ideas in this post that have resonated with blog readers through the years.