Welcome to Camp Funk

Raising little kids alongside big kids

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After having my oldest turn 18 I realized how different it was raising the older ones alongside the littler ones.  

 

Little kids are physically taxing, and big kids are mentally taxing...who knew

I'll run around all day long chasing little ones but that is child's play compared to the long morning or late-night conversations and problems these big kids have discussed and solved.  

No one told me I needed to know how to balance chemical equations while wiping butts and dry tears while kissing skinned knees.  

I love the wonderful craziness of a mom who shifts gears between managing a zoo and moderating an intellectual forum. 

 

I can go from little kid babble to genius in like 60 seconds.

Big kids have privileges that little kids don't, but little kids do not understand that. 

 Big kids can stay up later, be on their computers or phones longer, watch more adult things and do things without permission.  My little kids are relentlessly questioning me about this.

Raising big kids and little kids at the same time is very humbling.  I also assumed I would parent each one the same way....and boy was I wrong.

I've watched special bonds between big kids and little kids and it's beautiful.

Time and time again I have watched one of the older kids teach the younger ones something new or helped them in so many little ways.  The younger ones pull up a chair by the older ones just to see what they are doing or to be by them or maybe even teach them something about compassion that they might have missed along the way of growing up.  That makes my heartbeat faster and brings tears to my eyes.  

My older kids offer their input too which is great.  everyone can put in their 2 cents worth.  Some things that are working with our parenting and somethings that are not. This might not be how you work but it's a great resource for us.  It's also an opportunity to explain and clarify why parents do the things parents do.

There is something that is deeply satisfying giving raspberries to blowing bubbles then moving into an in-depth conversation about sin to politics and everything in between.  Even though it's physically draining with the littles its stimulating conversation with my older ones that make me think and bring tears to my eyes and realizing how blessed I am.  

This has created parenting joys beyond my wildest dreams.  Blessed would be an understatement.