I’m thinking about the sibling thing again. I wrote about having an only lonely child back in February, and Sandra over at the International Adoption Blog has been writing about the effect siblings have on each other. After all it is the relationship that outlasts every other one.

My hubby is an only child. He came out ok. He doesn’t talk a lot about wishing he had siblings, but I think he does. However his secret wishes aren’t enough to go actually adopt again. We have to want to parent another child, not just have a sibling for K.

K is only two, (well, two and a half, as she exclaims!) and, if I were younger, I’d have loads of time to decide, but coming upon Forty eight (!) I better make up my mind pretty fast.

I found a really interesting article on adoption.org, written by Rabbi Michael Gold. He has strong feelings about having siblings in the family and how they should all treat each other.

He does allow for the full range all through life.

Siblings are our most volatile relationship. We love them and we hate them, we compete with them and we care for them, they are our most consistent rivals and our closest friends. When we become parents, we try to love our children equally, yet they constantly fight and vie for our attention. Even as adults, the issues of childhood sibling rivalry continue to affect our daily lives.

This could depict growing up with my two sisters

I love my sisters dearly. We live states apart, and although I talk to them often, I wish we could partake in day to day life together. Since we can’t, I would highly miss the phone relationship if I didn’t have it.

The good Rabbi has some more thoughts:

A friend is there for good times. He or she may go out socially with us, party with us; we may enjoy each other's company. But when difficult times hit, a person turns to his or her brother or sister.

I know that is true for me. I turn to my sisters all the time. I bounce things off them, cry, laugh scream and they do the same.

K would be missing out to be alone.

Siblings may be dissimilar, with different interests, different friends, even different life styles. Siblings may not necessarily enjoy each other's company socially or be good friends. Rivalries leading back to childhood may separate them. But when one sibling is in trouble, the other is there to help them. When a brother needs protection, siblings must provide a shield for him. Or when a sister is in financial trouble, our charity obligation begins with her. Why Be His Keeper?

I’ll be even older soon. K should have a brother or sister.

The Rabbi's article gives biblical meanings to the sibling relationship. Read it here.

I be continuing my thoughts on this subject later. Do you have any?