"Take Care of the Older Child First ..."

Brother and sister, together as friends, ready to face whatever life sends.

Joy and laughter or tears and strife, holding hands tightly as we dance through life.

-Suzie Huitt

We had four children when we brought home from the hospital our newest addition, an adorable baby girl. In addition to this new baby, we had just moved into my dream home, on the side of a hill, looking out at the Wasatch Mountains on the east. We were all excited to have this new baby. Well, I should say we thought we were all excited for this little baby girl. One evening, as I was busy preparing dinner, I ask our five-year-old daughter to sit in a small rocking chair and hold the baby until I could finish preparations. She eagerly took on the job. While stirring the hamburger our three year old son came into the kitchen, went over to the rocking chair, and before anyone could do anything, clamped his teeth over the tiny toes of his new baby sister. She screamed of course, what had she done to deserve this. I was shocked but remembered the words of my mother, “Take care of your three-year-old first. He is the one that will need the most attention.” A truth told by a wise mother who had raised seven children.