The Big Brother

Sometimes I don't think Merritt is particularly thrilled with his role as the big brother. He has more responsibility and there are greater expectations upon him in terms of behavior than there are for the smaller beings in this house. Perhaps that is why he enjoys periodically needling his siblings, cuz he thinks their lives are easier. To forestall any teasing, we remind Merritt that his job as the big brother is to look after Grace and Grant and to be kind, as Jesus is a kind big brother to all of us. Do our words of teaching and encouragement sink in? I submit the following as Exhibit A:I was upstairs finishing some chores and I could hear Merritt reading The Big, Wide-Mouthed Frog aloud. I thought he was practicing his reading skills until I heard him move on to How do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? and How do Dinosaurs go to School?. I snuck down the stairs and saw him reading to Grace; pointing out pictures, laughing at the funny parts with her, and using vocal inflection to make the stories exciting. That one choice, to share his time and skill with his sister, created the best feeling in our home. He struggles a bit (and don't we all) but I must say that my Merritt is one great kid.