A Good Big Sister

Laura and Megan go play

Laura is a great big sister most of the time.  Oh, she has her moments of being frustrated with her little sibling, but most of the time the two are very close.  I was worried that they wouldn't be since there is seven years between them.

Megan is a busy little girl.  Her personality is very different from Laura's.  She's outgoing where Laura is a bit more quiet and shy. 

Megan loves to do what Laura does, though.  If Laura is going to the park, Megan wants to go too.  If Laura is reading, Megan wants Laura to read to her. 

Laura is usually very patient with her little sister.  She has older sisters, and knows that feeling that they are too busy to spend time with you.  So, she has often taken special care with Megan's feelings.  Oh, she's not perfect.  She gets careless sometimes.  She gets selfish sometimes when she has friends around. 

Most of the time the girls play together and have fun.  As Laura gets older, and I watch her being tender with her sister, it means so much to me.  I know that one day Megan will realize just what a wonderful older sister Laura is.

The two are buddies.  I want that for my children.  I don't want them to think they can't be friends because of an age difference.  That's a public school mentality.  I want them to be friends, enjoying time together and being close, despite any age or maturity difference.

Laura is probably the closest person in Megan's life.  Since Megan was born, they two have shared a bedroom.  On the occasions where Laura isn't home at night, Megan does NOT want to sleep in her room alone. 

She will beg for her Laura to come home to be with her.  However, I am always careful not to push too much on Laura.  She loves Megan, but she does need time to run and play and do activities that Megan isn't old enough to do yet.

I try to give her some space here and there.  She is the type of child that has no problem hopping on a toy meant for a much younger child just to play with her little sister.  I am so very grateful that my daughter is such a great big sister.  I credit a lot of that to homeschooling.