Youngest First

We have a simple family rule when waiting for food, drinks, stories, baths, etc.--youngest first.

Here's how it plays out. One hot summer day, we are traveling back from a local park. After playing hard in the sun, the three boys are all thirsty (Jerzy is still nursing, so he doesn't count =). As we loaded them up in the van, each one began to squabble over the one large water bottle we had along. At this point, all I need to do is look at them and say, "youngest first." They usually quiet down with the realization that they will get their turn. After all, a boy can argue that his sibling, "always gets the water first and now it's my turn," but he can't argue about birth order!

It is a simple saying but I hope that it ingrains an important lesson in them as they all grow; the bigger boys need to be sure the needs of their younger siblings are met first. Our hope is to instill the instinct to look after each other and then they will naturally do this as potential priests or husbands or fathers.