I admit that with siblings I find I sometimes turn a blind eye to things that I wouldn't allow to go on between two similar aged kids in care. Big sibling annoying little sibling - fine line between playing and crossing the line and just trying to be the big sibling and honestly think they are helping the little one. At the other end of the spectrum I am more likely to have to make them stop and let the little one do more for themselves including making their own decisions what to play with or where to go in the room as in the older one can get very bossy.

The worst ones are the ones were the older child seems to have developed a dependency on the younger one as in they used to cry coming to daycare part time while mom was on mat leave and once baby starts seemed lost without baby nearby. Which is fine if baby truly is a baby but unfair to baby to have to sit beside sister while she colours when baby should be down doing their own thing. Have had three sets like this to the point I was beginning to be afraid it was the new norm.

I have one set of siblings in care and biggest issue is little one hurting herself - but parents totally just laugh it off because she comes with just as many injuries - because no matter what big brother does she will do it too and of course can't a lot of the time. She will sit on the floor and pantomime his every move in tandem. If he goes to the window she either goes too or if she is playing waits till he is done then goes to the window and tries to do what she observed - smart little cookie for 18 months. All of my kids have a sibling either already passed through here and now in school or have a baby at home - mom on mat leave with one still coming full time and other part time.