Family First

Life gets crazy the older and more involved your children become. Fortunately, the older they are the more they can do for you. My oldest, a daughter, is almost twelve. She is learning that growing up is hard to do, especially when Mom needs you to watch your siblings and you want to go off with your friends. In our family, the needs of the family come first. So when I needed her to watch her younger siblings for a short time (it turned into a little longer than a short time) she pouted and said okay. All worked out for the best, and I told her I really appreciated her help. She understood and went off with her friends (better later than not at all).
In trying to teach the children family comes first, I am really just teaching them what I was taught. My siblings and I are closer today, and our children love their cousins because we are close. I want the same for my children. And in the end all that is left for us (all we really need) is family. The family is for eternity - might as well build it, strengthen it, and enjoy it.

Happiness is. . . putting family first above all else.