The Age of Reason

This is a typical conversation these days:

Me: Gigi is coming to watch you guys tonight. Do you want her to bring you some food from Sonic or from the chicken wing place?
Satchel: Chicken wing place!
Me: Go ask Jiro and see what he wants.
*pause as he confers with Jiro*
Satchel: Sonic.
Me: Do you think you guys could agree on one or the other?
Satchel: It's okay, we can do Sonic.

It's official. Satchel can think of people other than himself. It's amazing! Jiro, who sees the world revolving around him, is the weak link on Team Oster these days. Actually, Satchel's newfound selflessness is contributing to Jiro's megalomania.

We're trying to get Jiro to realize he isn't always going to get his way, but Satchel is so giving and empathetic, he wants Jiro to be happy more than he wants everything his way. (He's going to be a great mom!)

Seriously, this selflessness has been thoroughly tested. In Game Stop. Satchel and Jiro were each clutching a Pokemon game, and neither was willing to budge, knowing that they can often win the battle of the will with their parents when they are a united front. (I was ready to give in!) After about 15 minutes of serious negotiation, Warren finally said, "We are getting one game, or no game."

I watched as Satchel took a deep breath and held back tears. "We can get Jiro's game," he said in his bravest voice. Unfortunately Jiro is too young to understand the magnitude of this sacrifice, but I was touched.

I am truly starting to see how this whole birth order stuff pans out in later life. Satchel is definitely having to learn lessons that Jiro will not. Jiro will never be "the big brother," the "one who needs to set a good example," or "the one who knows better." Right now he is definitely, "the baby," the "one who gets his way," and "the one who can melt you with his smile."

I'm not going to worry too much though. Warren and I are both the youngest in our families and we turned out great!