I found this blog from Kerflop’s blogroll called Pondering Parenting. I actually read it last week when I was in Forest Creek and have been thinking about something she said ever since then.

I’m sure there will always be a bit of sibling rivalry, and I can imagine how hard it must be to watch little Jane get so much attention, ALL positive and ridiculously gushy.

I think I’ve figured out that when Sariah is asking to be a baby she’s really looking for that kind of attention that is continuously positive and sweet. And I am trying to focus on giving it all the time, as I feel that is what all kids—all people—deserve.

I’ve noticed how my voice is constantly higher and sweeter when talking to Jane, which I think comes naturally when talking to babies, but can you tell how it would be hard to hear your mother talking like that to your sister and then turn to you and ask you to do the very same thing but suddenly her tone and manner has shifted to be a bit more blunt, less sugary, sometimes even more coercive?

I have been thinking about myself in this regard with Emma and Nora. I think I do this to some extent. I talk to Nora in a sweet voice. I think some of it is just instinctual. People naturally do that with babies. But, then I talk to Emma in a more serious tone. I don’t want Emma to see me treating Nora so sweetly, and then act different to her.

Emma is such a great big sister. She absolutely LOVES Nora. She loves to sing to her, and dance around, and make funny faces. Nora first laughed for Emma. It is so great that she loves her sister so much. She is so silly with her that sometimes I get annoyed with her. I have to really talk to myself and let her act silly and realize that it is great for both of them.

Emma really is just a great kid all around. She is so sweet and so helpful. I hardly ever have to ask her to do something twice. Yesterday morning, I went down to get Nora out of her crib. I noticed Emma’s light was on. I went in her room and she was dressed in her dress up dress. She had cleaned up her whole room, and made her bed. What kid does that all on her own? I am so lucky to have her!

I just want to make sure that she knows how great I think she is. I am working on having more patience with her, and trying to talk to her in a sweeter voice. She is such a sweet kid, and she deserves it.