Big Sister Millie

A is our nurturer by nature. J is home from school today with a stomach flu, and A is taking pride in fulfilling all of the little care taking duties.  Something inside her leads her along to comfort and protect, to calm and soothe. She is not the oldest, but she is definitely everyone's big sister.

Last week after she and E and had spent a whole night throwing up I realized that I was out of my supply of our stomach flu staples: saltine crackers, gatorade, and applesauce. A had recovered, but E was still vomiting so I asked J if he could care for his little brother for twenty minutes while I ran to the store. His apparent disgust with the tasks worried me, but A volunteered immediately. "I'll take care of Eli, Mom. I'll give him the bowl if he needs to throw up. I'll dump it in the toilet, and wipe his mouth when he's done." And so I left a five-year  old in the care of a five-year old for twenty minutes while J looked on.

In my best attempt at historical accuracy, I have to report that A has the worst moments recently of regressing tantrums. She can't handle my absence at bedtime and tries to get attention in the loudest, most irritating ways. My mom says it's a phase. My friend reminds me not to parent to her weaknesses. I feel like I'm just sitting out the storm amazed by the sometimes duality of her temperament.