…Instead we named him Hugo. This is William’s little dog. Hugo is turning William from quiet middle child to important owner of the pet all the kids in our family want. If they want to spend time with Hugo, they go through William. Sammy went so far as to say that William could get Hugo for his (Sam’s) birthday! William is generous with his little buddy, but still enjoying the prestige of having something as his very own. Especially something as cool as this little Havanese puppy! I am wondering if we did the right thing (especially as we muddle through house training), but I think in a couple of months we will know that Hugo was meant to be in our family. In the meantime we will enjoy this super cute muffin face and his sweet and pleasant disposition.
How do you help a middle child not disappear in a family? I find that one of the things I enjoy about William so much is that he is so easy to be around. He doesn’t demand much. He is a sober child with a lot of big plans and ideas that he likes to mull over (and draw). And so, when he is with his talkative older siblings he just listens. When we are alone I enjoy a little quiet time so much I’m afraid I don’t try to draw him out. When Sam and Lizzie were at their Grampa and Gramma Zirkle’s house in South Carolina this summer, Grant and I were astonished at what a rich personality William has! He had so much to add, so much to say, and stepped up to the role of the big, helping, supportive older brother that Sam usually is.
So, you get your middle child a dog for him to talk to, and you try every day to give him some airtime. Our car conversations go something like this…”Ok, ok, everyone is talking at the same time…Lizzie it is your turn. Wait Sam, she isn’t done yet. William did you want to tell us what you started to say…” What a gift these children are with their unique personalities, active minds, good hearts and healthy bodies. I feel the magnitude of the gift of them everyday.
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