sam

They usually play really well together, but there is a fair age gap,
about four years, so they are just far enough apart where they
communicate a little differently. Obviously the youngest doesn't
communicate as well as the older.
Often my older seems like he just wants to start an arguement. He
gets so frustrated when his little brother says something that he
feels isn't right. We remind him fairly often that the arguement is
not going to help anyone but is only making them both angry. It only
seems to happen if the older is already in a mood that facilitates
this arguementative attitude. I want him to know his opinions are
valid and valuable without him feeling the need to argue and be
right/more right.
Another issue that is only similar in that it is train based is
bumping cars. Anyone familiar with Thomas knows how often the
locomotives end up having to bump the troublesome trucks, though
usually the coaches are happy to follow along.
My youngest is more often an engine, instead of a little boy, and
momma and I have been "bumped" pretty hard sometimes. He will come
jogging pretty quickly and give us a good jolt. "STOP HITTING US!"
never worked, but I can generally calm him down by reminding him that
we aren't cars and don't need to be bumped.
The bumping isn't really a problem in and of itself. The issue with
bumping is that sometimes, especially when you don't see it coming,
and with the harder bumps, he does have the ability to hurt someone.
I'm always a little worried that the circumstances will work just so
that his bump pushes me into some body twist that throws my back out.
While that may sound a bit farfetched, it is an actual concern.
I really think that with our patience I'm seeing fewer instances of
either activity. And I'm not even sure if I'm asking a question here
or not.