Three Words

We Are Tired.
That in a nutshell is why the baby will always be the baby.

My fundamental theories on nature vs. nurture have been thrown out the window since the birth of the baby. Everyday I notice the differences in my girls and many are due to their individual personalities. And although they are both ours, lets face it, the second child she did not get the same parents the first one did. Because raising kids? It's exhausting.

I remember Breanna at 4 making her own breakfast. Okay so it was cereal with milk, but still it was one less "MOMMY" request. Yet, Brooke still whines every morning that she's hungry. Yes, she has two good arms and legs and she is able to pour cereal and milk, hell she can fry and scramble her own egg on a good day. But who wouldn't want their made to order breakfast on the table on command everyday? Know why Breanna to this day makes her own breakfast, including omletes and chocolate chip muffins and Brooke has her's made for her? Same reason Breanna started making her own food to begin with because mommy was busy with the baby. Problem here? The baby is planning her 6th birthday party in 6weeks. Let's face it I am NOT a morning person and am too tired to force a child to do even one more thing in the morning.

When the girls were younger I used to plop them in the tub together. Breanna would bathe Brooke, because, hello real life doll in the tub. And when Bre was big enough to shower guess who wanted to join her? So Brooke has been showering since she could practically stand. But you know what I do everyday for the little princess? I turn on the shower and lay out her pjs for her. It's not a big thing, doesn't take much time, but it is something she is perfectly capable of doing for herself. However, by the time I've nagged two children to do homework and gotten through dinner I am, say it with me, TIRED!

Breanna knew how to tie her shoes at 3 years old. She would tie her friend's shoes to help the teachers in pre-school. Of course when we were teaching Breanna to tie her own shoes, she was getting ready to be a big sister. Everything we could teach her to do on her own would make it easier for mommy when the new baby came along. Brooke rarely wears shoes that even have laces, mostly by choice. On the very rare occasion she does decide to wear tennis shoes one of us ties them for her because it is exhausting to try and teach her. The term strong willed child pops to mind here. I don't know about you but I see a pattern here.

Of course it's not all bad. Being the baby means that somewhere there is a big sister to help teach her to do things like using the potty, dressing herself, doing her homework and navigating the computer like a pro. And the baby being able to do all those things? It helps tremendously when mommy is TIRED.

4 comments:

I love this. I was the 4th of 5 kids -- the forgotten middle child, who just does what they are supposed to do, hates the baby, and tries to draw the least amount of attention to themselves. My older brother (the first born) is exactly how you described. :-)

February 4, 2009 at 5:36 PM  

Same freaking life! Madeline, too, was tieing her shoes at 5. Molly, at 6.5, not so much. Coincidence? I think not.

February 5, 2009 at 5:18 PM  

How true! My oldest gets herself ready and to be bus in the morning with no help. I just bought my youngest velcro sneakers because he doesn't seem to be able to (or want to) learn to tie his shoes. The younger two kids will not eat breakfast unless I make it for them.

February 7, 2009 at 11:10 AM  

I have a solution for you. Have another baby. Then She won't be the baby, she will be the big sister.
Of course, you may have the same situation in 6 years....
oh, never mind. scrap my idea.
You just need to toughen up a bit more. You know she is capable. She can do everything she needs to.
It is exhausting doing it..but it will be worth it. She can't be a baby forever. can she? ;)
take care,suz

February 8, 2009 at 1:27 PM  

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