I’ve always thought it was a bit of a bummer being the youngest child. I know there’s only two of us (sucks to be you if you have more older siblings) but at times it hasn’t always been fun being the youngest. And if you’re about to say the youngest gets everything, that’s not always true! Plus having an older brother, I swear he got away with so many things and then I wasn’t allowed to go out as much either as a teenager, thanks to his antics! I could say so many things about him here because it’s unlikely he’ll read this. Older siblings, who would have them? Haha! In saying that he’s been an alright older brother, looking out for me in some of the toughest times in my life. Yep, being the baby of the family has both its perks and a downside as well, as with everything!
I guess I have noticed I do have a bit of a soft spot for my baby, Miss Phoebe. Don’t get me wrong I love my girls equally and I don’t have a favourite (not all the time anyway!) but there are times when my heart goes out to my youngest child. If you can’t beat them, join them, right?! Must be because we have that younger sibling role in common. Or because for now she still sort of listens to me. Who am I kidding? My children don’t like to listen, especially Miss four going on 14 and Miss two I’m copying what my sister does! Maybe we’ll go with the younger sibling link, for now anyway!
Let’s face it as the youngest you pretty much learn about life the hard way. The oldest is the test dummy and if they survive okay, then once the second arrives they can handle it even more! Just thinking back to when Miss Izzie was a baby, I watched her like a hawk, was careful how she ate food in case she choked and overall made sure nothing happened to her. Miss Pheebs on the other hand has had a somewhat more relaxed upbringing so far.
As a younger sibling you get pushed around, pushed over, kicked, sometimes bitten, toys, thrown at you and taken off you and that’s just a selection of the fun. I guess it’s all part of the pecking order. Quite often I have to step in as referee before things escalate but more often than not Miss Pheebs stands up for herself (you go kid! I’m kidding of course!).
As always though, mum guilt kicks in when I worry about being too hard on Miss Izzie as the eldest. I know her whole world changed when her little sister came into the picture, but I just hope she knows how much her little sister looks up to her. I love watching her get along with her baby sister, those are the best times. The fun, the laughter and then the cuddles when they see each other after some time apart, it certainly makes up for any tough times. I know it’s not going to last forever. I’m still dreading the day I come across some serious hair pulling or fighting over clothes or boys, that will be fun (not!). I still want to skip those years, long before they happen! Lucky I love them right?!
On that note, if you’re still reading, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe and joyous start to the new year. Thank you for your support in what can only be described as a challenging and emotional year. Let’s see what 2018 brings. Until next time….