Kids Being Kids?

As I posted about earlier, my kids are with family for a few days for the first time. They are with my sister-in-law for my nephew's birthday today. She took the three of them to Chucke Cheese and out to lunch. So I talked to her a little bit ago when she tells me that my kids were arguing. Big surprise! They argue ALL the time. They are only 18 months apart and everything is a competition. So this time they were arguing over which one of them was more special in our family.So my sister-in-law promptly tells them that they are equally special. At which point my oldest starts whispering in my youngest's ear. He tells him that is not true. That he is more special and they are not equal! As I am listening to her tell me this my heart just sinks. 

My youngest son is a sweet boy who has very little confidence. It has been a big problem. He is always trying to measure up to his older brother and always feels like he falls short no matter what. No matter what we tell him. We can't figure it out. Now I am wondering if my oldest has been doing this? I am so angry with him right now. I just don't even know what to say. I am almost glad that I am not there. This is one of those times that it may be best if a little time passes before I talk to him about it. This kind of meanness is just unacceptable as far as I am concerned. I do not like it and it is not how they have been raised thus far. 

So I am telling my sister-in-law how I feel when she says "oh it's just kids being kids". Is this true? Is this how kids are with each other at some point? Is this how siblings are with each other? I was raised as an only child so I do not understand a lot of this sibling rivalry. My husband tries to explain it to me from time to time. So am I making too big a deal out of this? Is this just how brothers are? If it is I guess I am going to need some thicker skin.