Raising a global citizen

My daughter asked me recently:

Tori: why don’t you allow the eldest to pick/choose things first? I am the eldest and should be in charge.

We did not have such issues before, she was okay with everyone being treated with respect not because of age but just because… but she is growing and seeing her friends with their siblings, visiting houses with rules different from ours and wants to know why.

While I don’t fault people who allow older siblings to choose first or pick first because of their birth position rule, I chose to behave differently.

Why?

The tradition is a great one but life doesn’t play by that rule or birth timetable… Everyone will be okay but not at the same time. I have seen younger siblings graduate, marry, get jobs, get bigger opportunities e.t.c before their elder ones and vice-versa. I have also worked in places where i was senior or junior to people behind me.

I realised I am raising global citizens, not traditional citizens. I am using this example from home to explain this to them, that way sibling rivalry is prevented… you don’t grow up resentful because your siblings(or junior) got some things first, and neither do you feel entitled because you got them before others.

Life is a pendulum that swings differently for everyone, make the best of it by swinging ahead on your path not on your date of birth.