Christmas Trains, Crying & Some Guilt Toys
Payton’s younger sister is only 1 yr & 20 days younger. Our dear, dear daughter Olivia is so sweet with her sister bless her little heart. Sure they’ll fight sometimes; but when Payton is really upset, Olivia attempts to give her anything that will subdue the tantrum be it a stuffed animal, a toy, or some food. Olivia, I think since she’s walked, has never went to bed without first giving her sissy a hug or kiss. That’s what she calls Payton… her sissy. I know, I know; but we’re smitten. Payton was once having a bad morning and they were both getting dropped off at the sitter’s; and Jimmy tells Olivia, “Play with sissy today.” Later that day when he picks them up, the sitter tells Jimmy how Olivia spent the day playing with no one other than Payton. It warms our hearts how much Olivia loves her sissy; but it does get hard to make a 2 year old realize she can’t act like her big sister. I’m not sure if she sees this as a double standard; but I fear she eventually will. We can’t ask a 2 year old to be a role model for a 3 year old; but sometimes I think we make that mistake. Olivia carries a burden; and will continue to, we know she’s up for it.
She also gets the shaft sometimes. Like when we went to a theme park; and Payton wore down. We left way earlier than Olivia would have liked. Or when we have to tell Olivia that she can’t play with Payton’s talking device. Or when we avoid playing in the front yard where other neighborhood kids are in order to keep Payton in a fenced in back yard for fear of her running into the street. There are consequences for a sibling that has a special needs brother or sister. We’re currently trying to find a balance.
Last Christmas Jimmy took Olivia on a short train ride that culminates in meeting Santa, his parents went with; but we were afraid Payton wouldn’t be able to handle the confined space for long enough so they went without us. Payton cried as she saw her dad, sister, and grandparents leave without her and then… so did I. I felt terrible seeing her miss that special time. It was so hard on us both that I took her shoppingJ I took her to Target to let her pick out a couple toys. I know it’s no match for Santa, a train, and the grandparents; but we both felt better I think.
Jimmy and I often joke about later in life when we get that dreaded phone call from a teacher about Olivia sticking up a little too much for her big sissy. It’ll be hard not to feel a little bit proud of her.
The love our girls have for each other warms our hearts. I’m glad they have each other.