Tolerating Toddlers as a High School Student

Toddlers. The majority here at GRACELUBBOCK Homeschool
Group can relate to this word in one way or another. Some of us have tots that we babysit. Others, have younger relatives.
          Although fairly harmless when infants, most toddlers can become choosy and try to act independent.
          I'll always remember the first time I saw both of my sisters after they were born. Ellie, the older one, was born when I was eleven. Until she was born, I didn't really have much experience with tiny babies, so when I saw her I was scared.
          A couple years after that, my sister Moriah was born. I felt a little more prepared as a sister when she came, but it was still over-whelming to think that I was going to be an older sister to a baby that is 13 years younger than I am.
          Now, at ages two and four, Ellie and Moriah are partners in crime. One poses as the distraction while the other gets into trouble.
          Sometimes, they can drive me crazy to a point where I can’t do my homework without distraction. Occasionally, I have to rearrange my schedule to revolve around nap time. If I didn’t do this, I might end up with a kid in my lap during History. Other times, I just have to thank God for what he’s given me. I feel very blessed when Ellie “cleans” my room. Even though I have to go back and redo the cleaning, I know she meant well and was doing it out of love.
          As distracting as it is to have sisters that are 11 and 13 years younger than me pester me during school or play, I have to realize that I am able to have a good relationship with them because I am homeschooled. I know that I will forever have memories about our childhood to cherish.
          My challenge for the week is to look at your siblings, whether younger or older, and thank God for them, because you probably wouldn’t be as close if you weren’t homeschooled.