Kids vs Kids

My 8-year-old son Sam has been friends with a neighborhood kid called Easton for years. The 9-year-old Easton has light brown hair and blue eyes. He looks very innocent and sensitive but he has a destructive side.

I can understand why Sam doesn't always want to share his toys with Easton, as the 9-year-old has broken more than a few action figures. But they still play together as often as possible.


For some reason - probably because they're as close as brothers - they spend part of every day together bickering. I have a theory about this which I'm going to share with you whether you care to hear it or not.



Just as animal cubs fight physically with each other to prepare themselves for hunting and defense in the big, wide real world, human children fight verbally to prepare themselves for life in the adult world.



When they grow up, they'll have to communicate more efficiently than their rivals, win arguments, be pushy and yell loudest to get their own way.



So kids who spend a lot of time together - especially siblings - argue. It's civilized humanity's version of two wolf cubs rolling around in the forest (except with a few less scratches). Not that I condone it... If you'll excuse me, I have to go break up the latest spat.