Author: Emily

In the last month or so, my kids have moved into the stage in which they enjoy nothing more than to annoy the other. (As an aside, how long can I expect that to last? About 6 months or so, right?) Sammy is learning to pull his weight in this game, but there’s little doubt that Kate’s the driving force at this point.

She seems to love to bother the snot out of her brother. She is particularly good at provoking him – and doing so in a way that she thinks we won’t notice. Because, you know, I can’t hear her say “Sammy, hit me! Hit me!” three seconds before I hear “MOMMY! Sammy hit me!!!”

This behavior drives me nuts, obviously, but it really makes me cringe because it is so familiar to me.

Something tells me it seems rather familiar to my little sister as well.

Last night, we stopped by Andy’s school on our way home so that he could pick up something, and for the entire three minutes he was gone, Kate was whispering (though not silently enough, apparently) to Sam that Daddy was going to be gone for a million years. I immediately had a flashback to the time I packed a bag and sat in the driveway, trying to convince Anna that I was running away from home.

Older sisters are just mean.

Seeing my not-so-pleasant behavior in Kate is tough, and it makes me wonder what other things she’s inherently picked up from us. Which really, is a scary thought.

Tell me I’m not alone here… how do you see yourself reflected in your kids?