Mommy’s Project 52:1 Teaching

My first-born was carefully guarded against undue negative influence but that went out the window when my daughter was born. Her older brother is teaching her things before I am ready for her to have that knowledge or skill. I don’t have as much control as I did when there was only one child. It is not a bad thing, just different.

A list of things that my son (4 ½) has taught his little sister (1 ½).

* Jumping on Daddy’s back

* Making a crayon into a pretend gun

* Grabbing the toy you want right out of a person’s hand

* Pats on the back and sweet kisses

* Jumping on the bed

* “Read” when she wants a book read

* “Pee-pee” when she wants to get attention

* Standing on things that are meant for sitting

* Yell, “stop” when she doesn’t like what someone is doing

* Using baseboards as a car track

Things I have been teaching my kids this week.

* Sometimes checking my Facebook and/or email is more important than playing on the floor

* There is always time for reading books

* There is always time for one more hug and one more kiss

* Napping and sleeping are very important part of everyday

*Mommy loves chocolate and coffee

Recent research in New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development talks about the positive and negative effects siblings can have on one another. It is up to us, the parents, to promote positive social interactions. Check out this article about this new body of research at http://www.aspeneducation.com/articles/strong-sibling-relationship-can-help-prevent-bad-teen-behavior.htm. My goal is to help them grow their relationship so they can and will support each other all their lives.