An Advantage to being the Baby

Let me preface this post by saying that thanks to the grace of our almighty God, neither one of my children have ever been in need of anything.  Although they may have wanted a few things they couldn't have, they do not know what it means to truly be in need.  We have always been provided for and blessed with shelter, food, love, and time with each other. 

But I have found myself many times looking at my sweet Sethie and saying, "poor second born."  It is mostly when he is wearing a stretched out hand me down, knowing that he rarely will get to do anything in this family first or when I am dragging him all over creation to pick big brother up from school, take big brother to this or that, or while I see him patiently watching big brother play soccer and knowing he can't wait to get out there himself in a year or so. 

But really these are minor infractions in the whole scheme of things, because as a second born myself, I know that he probably has neither noticed nor really cared about "missing out" on certain things or waiting on things.  After all, you really can't miss what you have never had. And what a great skill to learn...patience. Plus, his little laid back personality could care less that  he learned his ABCs at the age of three rather than at 18 months like his big brother, since I had a whole lot more time to work at Caleb on those sorts of things.  (We were probably still in survival mode when Seth was 18 months old or maybe we just realized that you don't really have to know your ABCs that early.)

I know there are many advantages to being the baby, too.  Just ask my older sister. Like being born with an instant playmate and never really knowing the feeling of being lonely.  And of course, there is that extra dose of grace you get, because you are younger, smaller, still learning, etc., etc., etc. 

And I found a new advantage, too.  

Field trips

I had to miss some of Caleb's preschool field trips whenever siblings were not permitted.  His first kindergarten field trip to the pumpkin patch had the same stipulation.  On trips that I did get to participate, Sethie was also in tow, so Caleb was not able to have my undivided attention on such outings.

But with Seth, it is a different story.  When his class went to the pumpkin patch last month, not only was I able to attend, Seth had me all to himself.  Well, me and his class, but with the other mommies in attendance, I was only responsible for one little person, so I was able to focus solely on my baby.  Ahhh...it was nice. It was so much fun to watch Seth play with his school buddies and follow big kid rules with his class.  What a great day we had!

Here's to some second born perks!