Gabby and Sunday were playing in our living room and I noticed that they were kind of fighting over a toy. I approached them and kindly asked them to share their toys with each other. But they wouldn’t. And so I just told Gabby to give in to his younger sister’s whim as he was the older one. I also comforted Sunday because she was already crying at that time. Gabby dropped all his toys and sulked in one corner. I approached him and told him that Sunday is still so young and that as her older brother, he should take care of his sister, not fight with her. I offered other toys which he can play and other activities just so he would divert his attention to them. I tried to console him but to no avail. So I left.
After a while, he approached me, to my relief, because I thought he understood what I just explained. But to my dismay, he handed me that letter and left. The letter said: Mommy, I’m very very mad because you are with Sunday, not me.I was teary-eyed! It struck me really hard! It was like a slap on my face! Was I being unfair in my treatment to them? Was I being too partial to my girl that I forget my boy’s feelings? I then asked Gabby why he wrote that and he said, “You’re always with Sunday. You love Sunday more than you love me…” then I hugged him. And with that hug came a silent promise that I will try to be always fair and show that I love them equally.
Looking back, I am so grateful that he wrote that letter. It was a wake-up call for me. I am also grateful because at such a very young age, he can express his feelings well already. And I’m glad that until now, two and a half years later, I haven’t received any hate letter from him yet. :) Now, he only gives me loveletters and cards!
