Love Thursday: Older Brothers Rock

After a long weekend with all her brothers, Ella is going through withdrawal. We taught her a sign for each brother and sister-in-law, and she keeps making them over and over, questioning where everyone has gone. Before she falls asleep, I explain that they live far away, but we will see them again, hopefully soon. She does the sign for each of them sadly, grabs her “blankie” and goes to sleep.

Each of the boys has a distinctly different personality and delights her in different ways. At times I would catch her looking at them thoughtfully; they do look somewhat alike, and their voices are similar. She knows that they are special because I hug them and call them my babies, even though this infuriates her.

The attention of a sibling, particularly with such a large age difference is unique. There is a loving protectiveness that goes into the hugs and activites they do together. Although still very much her “Mommy’s girl,” Ella sensed that everywhere she turned there was someone who loved her; she wasn’t alone for a second. With every little antic rewarded with smiles and clapping, she was truly enjoying princess status.

With only one brother living at home right now, it could be very easy to raise a very spoiled child. I have often referred to this syndrome as “raising a monster and then having to live with it.” I’m pretty sure I spoiled each of the boys to some degree and in different ways, but they certainly aren’t monsters. Ella being a girl makes it a bit more of a challenge.

Somehow the complexity of the female personality reveals itself at a very early age. Ella will employ any method to get her way, whether it be crying, whining, or stomping off. I think she is getting the hang of being manipulative, or maybe it is my imagination.

It seems that Ella is growing up so fast that I was caught unawares. Only yesterday she was a little baby, and today I have to discipline her. I’ve been a little slow on the uptake, but I’m finally getting it. Although I do not believe in spanking and never spanked my boys, Ella is hearing “no” and “stop” and has even had one sixty second time out after she practically destroyed our CD player.

Raising Ella has brought back a lot of memories of the boys, and I find myself teary and nostalgic at times. They are a wonderful trio: handsome, smart, creative and funny. Ella couldn’t ask for better brothers and I feel blessed.

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