When Solenn Heussaff was pregnant with her and her husband Nico Bolzico's second child, she noticed their panganay Thylane Katana, nicknamed Tili, being extra malambing knowing that another baby's on the way. So the couple made sure to prepare Tili how to be an ate.
Tili turned to be a loving and affectionate sister to Maëlys Lionel, who was born on December 14, 2022 (read here). The now 3-year-old girl told the baby on their first meeting, "Tili loves you! You, Maëlys!" Aww!
Ate Tili also knows how to watch over and play with Baby Maëlys, as seen in an Instagram reel jointly posted by their parents on April 19, 2023. Dad Nico couldn't help showing his soft side in the caption: "When I though[t] the emotional moments with #TiliBolz were behind us, Ate Tili comes and I am tearing again!"
Solenn and Nico's followers appreciated the good vibes brought by the "precious moment" shared by Tili and Baby Maëlys, and commended Tili for being a "sweet" older sister.
Solenn's fellow mom of two girls Bianca Gonzalez commented apparently based from her own experience: "Omg the best is yet to come with two daughters. It just keeps getting better."
(Read here on why sisters are best friends.)
How to raise siblings who are friends
Whether you have daughters or sons, or both, you can help them strengthen their bond not just as siblings but as buddies with these tips:
Show and teach them empathy
Empathy is, as explained by Dr. Michele Borba in an article, the first essential virtue of moral intelligence. The internationally recognized expert and author on children, teens, parenting, bullying and moral development explained that empathy is the ability to "identify with and feel for another person’s concerns."
When your kids get into a conflict, for instance, try not to jump to conclusions and immediately “punish” the “culprit,” such as the child who started the fight. Instead, practice active listening by encouraging your children to open up. You can use phrases like, “Would you like to tell me what happened?” and “So how did that make you feel?”
Strive to avoid comparisons
What you can do instead is tell each of our kids about their respective strengths and weaknesses. Remember to do this one by one, perhaps during one of your regular “dates” with each child, or during your usual bonding time.
Make sure your kids are familiar with your rules
And, try your best to keep them, too. Consistently remind them that yelling, teasing, hitting, and other forms of physical “fighting” are unacceptable. It may help to write down or print out house rules and post them in different parts of the house.
Don’t forget to teach your kids, too, that these rules also apply to other children, such as those they meet at the local playground, in school, at playdates, and the like.
Teach your kids to respect each other’s property
When the reason for sibling squabbles is toys or things, it may be best to, first and foremost, teach them respect for property. If your kids share a room, designate certain “individual” spaces for each child and then a “common” space. Allow each child to decorate their respective spaces and store their own items there.
If a sibling wants to borrow or use a certain item, he or she should ask permission first. Items or things placed in the “common” space are “free for all,” meaning any sibling can use them as they please, even without asking for permission.
Read here on how to raise daughters who cheer for fellow women.
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