Brotherly Advice

Just a short bit ago Maddox was being a typical 3 year old and was acting ornery. I was sitting at the dining room table and I told him to come here to me so we could talk about his behavior. He hesitated, then just sat down on the floor and started crying saying, "I don't want to be in trouble, I don't want to be in trouble." I gave him a stern look and he did get up and come over to me. We had a little chat about acting nice then I sent him on his way. He went to sit in one of our living room chairs to pout for a few minutes. I then left the room and when I came back in a few minutes later Gabe was sitting in the chair with him and patting Maddox's head. I heard Gabe murmuring to Maddox, "I'm older Maddox and I know the best thing to do. When Mom tells you to go talk to her don't sit down and cry on the floor. Just hurry to her, listen to her, look REALLY, SUPER, REALLY sad, say sorry even if you are not sorry, and then you can walk away and come play with me! It's MUCH, MUCH better!"

Michael and I have prayed so many times that our boys would have a loving brotherly relationship, be best friends and that Gabe would be a good older brother. I'm just not sure this is what we meant by that! I hope Gabe's older brother advice improves over the years. Actually, not that this wasn't good advice. It was! Just not the kind I had in mind.