5 U's of Sibling Companionship

So, I have 3 ranges of grade-level children. They are an 8-year-old 3rd grader, a 12-year-old 7th grader, and a 16-year-old 11th grader.  The district was on fall break and boredom had sat in for the youngest of the 3. At their ages sometimes they often operate in the 5 U’s state of mind being unaware, unconcerned, unsuspecting, unconscious, and unwilling to engage in siblingly companionship. So, the very opinionated, adorable, little angel decided she would use her free time creating math tests for her brother's.

The oldest brother happens to come downstairs just as she completes his test. "Oh! Hi, Nate here's your test!" "What? Cap! I am not taking a test. I am on break. No way! You can't be for real! Girl! Go find something else to do." In good mommy fashion, just take the test. Nate continues to protest. "Wait no!"  Even though he doesn't agree, he sits down to take the test being the good brother that he is. "Hey, Siri!" Little angel turns to him and says, “Oh no, you can't use a calculator" and walks off. "What? Girl! This is division and the way it is written the answer will be a decimal." He continues to use his calculator. Little angel returns, he hands her the test "thank you but you use the calculator so I am giving you an "F"!" "What? Oh, OK! I told you I didn't want to do this anyway.  How are you gonna give me an “F''? I told you I didn't want to do it. This is madness!"

The next brother emerges completely unaware of what has happened.  Little angel says, “here you go this is your math test." "Wait! What? Girl you know I'm on break right?" "I don’t care, you are gonna take this test". "What? Why? Oh my God! You do too much!" As Nick protests she says, “Nate took his test”. Nick looks at me and I say yes he did. "OK!" Nick sits down to complete the test and little angel walks out of the room. Upon her return, Nick hands her his completed test.  "Mommy, will you look over it for me? Did he do a good job?" As a matter of fact, he did. "Ok, I think he gets a 100." Little angel, unaware that in her absence Nick quickly completed the test given to him and created a test for her.

Nick informs little angel "now you must take a test." Little angel agrees not having looked over the test.  She sits down and completes the test. Here comes the breakdown, she got 3 problems wrong and her world crashes because there is no way she could be wrong. Through teary eyes, she explains all the steps she used to solve her problems.  Nick attempts to show her where she went wrong in solving the problems but she doesn’t understand how this has happened.  "No!" Little angel continues to say there’s no way I got those answers wrong. I solved them correctly, I used all my strategies. One thing is clear as Nick attempts to calm his sister.

Nick realizes he must get her to understand that it is ok to make mistakes.  Nick encourages little angel to stop crying so he can show her the errors.  Ten minutes have passed at this point. Nick continues to console her and get her to collect her emotions. He explains that even though you answered 3 problems wrong it does not mean you get an “F”.  Reluctantly she agrees, wipes her tears, and walks away.  Little angel returns and gives Nick a hug only after going to tell Nate about her situation. Nate told her it was a test and not to worry because Nick is not her teacher.

Siblings may operate in 5 U’s but when it is time to demonstrate compassion and companionship they change their “That’s Not Your Best” to its what’s best for us to make things work.