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I think it’s hard sometimes to be the middle child.
The older one goes through everything first, grows bigger, hits the older grades first.
While the youngest is the LAST, the last time to be this age, the last one to do this, the last one….there will be no more….
And the middle….well…..the middle can be a challenge.
There are challenges to parenting all of our children, but sometimes the middle one seems to get left out. When it comes time for new clothes, the older child has outgrown his….try his on.
So as a Mom, I’m always looking for those little ways to make Chandler feel special.
He is a darling son…
He doesn’t mind being alone, he’ll go off by himself to entertain himself.
He has those eyes that melt your heart…
And after he rough-houses with his brother and conks his head on the bottom of the pool, he lets me take pictures of the biggest bump on the head in the WORLD…
And he has one of the best senses-of-humors…
And he made me breakfast for Mother’s day…
So of course, I’m going to go out of my way to make sure that HE feels special.
Last Thursday while he was school, I took one of my nice frames and framed his painting he did at school. They were studying famous artists and well-known art styles. He could tell you what artist this was for, but I forgot. Wasn’t the point…
The point was, seeing his face light up when he came home from school and saw that something he did, something he was particularly proud of, and something entirely HIS, was displayed gloriously in the house for all to see.
It may not be all the karate trophies like Austin, or pink and frilly and GIRL, like Brooklyn, but it was his.
And right in that moment, the look on his face, showed it all.
He is Chandler. He is the middle child.
And he is something very, very special.
That actually made me teary early in the morning. I have 3 kids, too and am always looking for ways to make each one feel special. That sort of thing doesn’t just happen by itself with multiple kids. Chandler should feel proud. It’s a really good picture. : )
That was inspired, Dana. Chandler DOES look like a special (and very handsome!) young man. He made you breakfast? With a note? I would have melted, if his eyes hadn’t done me in first. Ouchie on that bump; don’t care WHAT they say about it being better for it to go out than in… that still had to hurt. And his picture says so much about him; vibrant colors.. with a road that leads home. And the fact that home is at the forefront… the main focus? Well, I think you’re doing your job well, cause home is where he wants to be. Sweet boy.. sweet mama… man, I LOVE this blog!
brought tears to my eyes! What a sweetie and he looks just like his daddy! Great job mom with framing his painting!
How beautiful! Thanks for sharing. I feel the same way about our middle son, such a challenge to let him understand we love him and know that he is just as special as the oldest and the youngest and that he doesn’t get “lost in the middle”. Thank you for your encouragement!
I’m very prejudiced, but I, too, think Chandler is very special. He’s the souvenir that keeps on giving!!
I love all of these photos of Chandler! (Well maybe except the huge bump one…OUCH!!!! Poor guy!) He is going to be a heart breaker!
LOVE that you framed his picture!
Great post! My middle child(ren) often get paid attention to in creative ways. I love that you framed Chandler’s art – maybe he can help you support your missions fundraiser by selling prints???