A hundred ways you make me mad

It's funny how the family dynamic changes when one of the children has a play date or a function. The other two children are forced to be together -- like it or not. Such was the case this past weekend when my 9-year-old went on a play date with a friend. She's kind of like Switzerland when things erupt between her younger sisters.

After the oldest left, the fighting began. There was a struggle over a pen; words were exchanged over toys. But it was the trip to the store to purchase a dog bed that did the most damage. The girls started arguing over which one of them would carry it out to the car. They decided taking turns wasn't an option. Since they couldn't work together, I carried it myself! As I walked ahead of them, I heard my 7-year-old say to her younger sister, "I can think of over a hundred ways you make me mad." And she said it with such conviction!

The bickering ended when I took them to the pool. Thank goodness because it was turning out to be the longest day EVER! The girls played like best pals splashing in the water. I witnessed them give each other piggyback rides and laugh out loud until their sides hurt. It was the perfect opportunity for me to say to them, "Now, can you think of over a hundred ways your sister makes you happy?" They both nodded.

It was progress.