Siblings: Life Without Words

Sibling relationships are special, but in our home, they look a little different. Wyatt's little sister, Sophia, is only 1½. Watching them together has been one of the most beautiful - and at times, emotional, parts of our journey.

When Sophia was born, Wyatt barely paid attention to her. To him, she was just… there. She cried, she slept, she existed in his world, but not as someone he interacted with. That all changed when Sophia hit a milestone that shocked us all - she started walking at just 7 months old! (Seriously, a baby that tiny walking?!) Suddenly, she was no longer just the baby in the background. She was moving, exploring, and Wyatt started to notice.

Now, he doesn’t actively play with her, but there are small moments.. times when they’ll parallel play side by side. Sophia adores her big brother. She wants to be around him, to follow him everywhere. Wyatt, on the other hand, values his personal space. He loves spending time alone in his bedroom, listening to music and flipping through his books. That’s his safe space, and we respect that.

Of course, there are challenges. Wyatt sometimes thinks it’s funny to push Sophia down. We’re still figuring out how to help him understand that’s not okay while also giving him grace as he learns. Sophia, for her part, is resilient. She gets right back up and tries to play with him again.

Something people don’t talk about enough is the sorrow that creeps in when your younger child surpasses your older child. Sophia can say “mama” and “daddy.” She helps me clean up. She wants to be with me every second. These things are amazing, but they also tug at my heart. I find myself feeling sad that one of my children can do things so easily while those same things are so hard for the other. It’s a strange mix of pride and grief.

But here’s what I’ve learned: every child is on their own timeline. Wyatt and Sophia are both incredible in their own ways. Sophia’s love for her brother is pure, and Wyatt teaches her patience without even realizing it. Their relationship may not look like what I imagined, but it’s theirs—and it’s growing in its own unique way.

The truth is, I believe they are going to teach each other so much as they grow. Sophia will learn empathy and acceptance from having Wyatt as her brother. Wyatt will have a sister who loves him unconditionally, no matter how different their worlds may be.

And that, to me, is something worth celebrating.

Kerri