[Critique Group 1] Leonard's comments on DeAnna's sub

[leonard tuchyner]

DeAnna sub for May 23

The two stories about subling rivalry

made me smile and guffaw.

I relate to these stories.

When I was 5 years old,

my baby sister was born.

When informed of the new arrival on the phone

I reacted with severe, honest disappointment.

I suggested to my father that they should bring it back.

And get a boy instead.,

believing in my mind that this wasa reasonable  request.

The piece is well written

and I can make no recommendations for improvement.



88 words,

Surviving Siblings



I heard a wail from the hall bathroom. Rushing in, I found my
two-year-old youngest child with only her hands, feet and head
protruding from the toilet. Her 14-year-old brother had failed to
replace the insert designed to provide a comfortable perch for his
baby sister. She scrambled up and tried to balance on the edge of the
full-sized seat. As I reached for my baby girl, her four-year-old big
sister cried, “Flush mommy, flush!”



Later that afternoon, my friends and fellow La Leche League leaders
were gathered in my kitchen to plan out our next joint meeting in my
home. Anywhere from 10 to fifteen women accompanied by infants,
toddlers and preschool children would fill my open-plan kitchen,
dining and living room. Many of the women were likely to be expecting
the arrival of a new baby. Terri, Carol and I were certified to teach
breastfeeding and baby care. We took turns hosting meetings supported
by the others to provide light refreshments and making presentations
on everything from giving birth to nutrition.



I shared my story of the bathroom mishap. Terri added a story of her
own. Her five-year-old son was caught trying to close his two-year-old
younger brother into the kitchen trash compacter. Carol described how
her darling six-year-old son Nicholas had looked in disgust at his
newborn sister in Carol’s arms declaring that he had been hoping she
would be a football. All I could conclude was sibling rivalry must
start as soon as the next in-line arrived on the scene. I thought I’d
better add an overview of how to prepare older siblings for the new
kid in town, when I had to teach the section on preparing for your
baby’s arrival.





DeAnna Quietwater Noriega

Cell: 573-544-3511

Email: dqnoriega at gmail.com

Author of Fifty Years of Walking with Friends

https://www.dldbooks.com/dqnoriega/