“I am the oldest girl of almost seven children. The question I receive most frequently is, ‘is it hard being the oldest?’ Yes, it is very hard, mainly because my influence on them will be played back to me later on; whatever I do they copy. Whatever mood I am in, they will think it is alright to be in the same mood. The other challenges of being the oldest is being kind to them, using a sweet tone of voice and not getting angry. If you do anything in anger, it will always fail. It is very hard keeping my temper with them. Sometimes my brothers will irritate me, or my sisters might do something I didn’t want them to do. Still, it depends on me and my attitude because on the other side, I get aggravated too often.
Responsibility and work also come with being the oldest. I do more work and change more diapers than my brothers or sisters. But 95% of the time we have so much fun. For hours we play outside and in the creek, and laugh and play card games in the afternoons. My brothers’ faces light up when I say ‘let’s go fishing’ and they run out and dig up worms. My sisters go grind wheat when I say ‘homemade bread’. And little Mallie is way more entertaining than TV; she’s so cute with her little smile.
I think the position I am in as the oldest will help me tremendously when I become a wife and mother. As I grow up to be a mother and have children, I will need patience, endurance and to know how to train them according to what God commands mothers to do. God is the only one who helps me with the challenges of being the oldest; he gives me everything I need. One day, I want to trade places with someone else; the next day, I wouldn’t trade with anyone in the world because I see I couldn’t live a day without these little blessings.”
Bria
Age 13
13 comments
Bria,
That was beautiful! Keep up the good work of being a great big sister and big help to your mom. I pray that my children will be as helpful, responsible, and lovely as you when they are older.
In Him,
Carmen
Thanks Bria for sharing your thoughts!
Is this really about Bria?
In reply to Elizabeth’s question: “Is this really about Bria?”
NO–IT’S NOT! THAT’S THE BEAUTY OF IT! When I asked her to write the essay, I didn’t give her any hints about what I wanted her to say, or even why I wanted her to write it. And I was surprised to read that mostly she talked about wanting to be a good example to her siblings. That’s the very essence of what I believe the Bible teaches. It should never be about us…”he who would come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me”.
It’s not about Bria at all…praise God.
“If any man would save his life, he must lose it.”
Well said Bria.
you missed my point, but in doing so, proved it precisely.
yes, this essay was not about Bria because it was actually about her mom.
YOU asked her to write it. YOU trotted it out like a little show pony, asked it to perform a trick and then smiled and bowed at the applause.
isn’t this is really about YOU, Word Warrior?
Bria’s essay reflects glory back on YOU—which is exactly why YOU published it on YOUR blog.
Bria’s essay validates YOU!
Bria’s essay makes YOU look good.
spare me the Bible verses. all the verses in the world can’t hide the shoddy trick of using your daughter to promote your own personal gospel of no-birth-control.
I did not read anything about Bria’s mom here, but we can figure that Bria’s behavior and attitude and insight is due to her mom’s influence. This is what most people desire to do with their kids, right? What a beautiful example of love and selflessness and maturity she has shown us of herself through this essay!
Go Bria!!! You are an excellent big sister!
As to Elizabeth’s comment(s). You are wrong about Bria, she is no show pony, she is a girl with a free will and has a mind of her own, that willing choses Gods way with out her mother having to show her off. If you knew Bria or her mom at all you would never say such things. The bible says children are to bring glory to their parents which in turn brings glory to God, who is our Father.
Bria is a true hand maiden of the Lord, of her own will.
Thank you Word Warrior for dedicated your blog to the saving of the lives of those who have no voice, unborn children.
You go Bria!!:0)
Elizabeth, I am glad you have an open mind and are reading Word Warriors blog, and participating in an open dialog!!
– Olivia
I would say that the term using my daughter like a “show pony” is a bit harsh, but you’re entitled to your expression of speech (and, consequently, heart).
No, the reason I even asked my daughter to write out her feelings was three-fold. First, I thought the best way to answer someone’s direct accusation (i.e. the lady at the tax office who assumed my daughter would not want children) was to let my daughter speak for herself.
Secondly, I was truly interested in what she had to say. Although I know her heart, I did want her to have the opportunity to speak honestly about her role. I expressed that to her before she wrote it.
And thirdly, but certainly not the least of reasons, it made an excellent home-school assignment in language 🙂
!!!go Bria!!!
Go Bria!!!!
You are doing what God intended
for you to do…
Love ya,Robin and Taylor
Kelly,
Just going back and reading some of your older posts since I only recently found your blog. Your daughter and her words are BEAUTIFUL! It’s obvious you are doing something right.
Thank you for sharing her essay.
By the way… I know several large families. I have always been fascinated by them. I have asked several children from large families what they think of it, and they have ALWAYS responded the same way! They want large families too… they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thanks Kim! I always ask children of larger families the same thing, and get the same answers.
And mothers…they never say they wish they had had less children–always more.