My inspiration for this record of my days:

“The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less” -Anna Quindlen

Friday, March 28, 2014

Younger children



I remember, back in the days when my oldest was little, how shocking it was to have her hang around with kids her age who were the youngest in their families.  They talked differently.  They liked TV shows besides Barney and Teletubbies.  They just seemed so much more "worldly."


I knew they were good kids from good families, but I silently swore that I would always try to shelter my little ones, so they didn't grow up too fast.

Ha!  It's funny to look back on now.  Now that Eli (age 2) calls me "dude" occasionally.  Now that Simon (age 5) wants to play video games any chance he gets, and rolls his eyes if I suggest he watch Sesame Street.

Yesterday was Simon's turn to take the trash can out to the road.  I was helping him pull it at first, but then he decided he was strong enough to do it himself.  As soon as I let go, he grabbed it and took off running.  Over his shoulder he called back to me "Eat my dust!"  Definitely a child who has older siblings.  He can trash talk with the best of them!



The thing I didn't realize at the time was how many great things there are about having older siblings!  They can teach you to tie a tie or spike your hair in the front.  They can share (or you can sneak into) their treats and build really tall lego towers.  They can push you on the swing or bounce you on the trampoline.  And what a great feeling to have a whole house full of people to love you and cheer for you and think you're adorable!

They may not be quite as sheltered as their older siblings were, but around here I'd say the younger kids really have it made!
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