Two of My Three Daughters

I know you are not supposed to compare your kids to other peoples’ or each other.  But it is hard not to.

Can I get an amen?!

I have three girls, ages 9, almost 8, and 5. My nine year old is uber responsible.  My third one is still the clueless, cute 5 year old.  My 7 year old.  My dear 7 year old.  She’s just on another planet.  She is clueless on how to do many things her sister was doing at her age, she is struggling in areas Caitlyn sailed through without a pause.  She is still working on learning to read and Dear Lord, you can just assume she is going to lose anything you put money into and keep anything that is righteous garbage.

I am not sure what to do.  Now to be fair, she did decide last week to start doing the laundry (not including folding) without prompting and did a great job.  I am hoping this continues into next week.  I can forgive a lot for a kid who does the laundry.

In the meantime, I feel like I am always yelling at her.  Always scolding her, always correcting her.  I worry she will see the difference between her and her sisters when it comes to my fussing.  I hate how frustrated it makes me feel.  And how frustrated it must make her.

I have to bite my tongue often to stop myself from saying, “why can’t you be more like your sisters?”  I know, no matter how tempting it is, I must refrain from ever saying that to her.  Not only because it would not feed her spirit, but also because I don’t want to change her spirit.  I don’t want to change her.  I just want to know how to get through all the glorious fun chatter, dancing, singing, and merry making that is Sue in order to teach her skills and behaviors she needs to know.

So I will keep trudging along saying,

“I will not compare.”

“I will not compare.”

“I will not compare.”