True Confessions
Life as a Big Brother or Sister

By Heather Kempskie

Sibling love. There’s nothing quite like it. P&K wanted the real deal: What’s it like being a big brother or sister? We asked a group of fifth-graders from Margaret Neary Elementary School in Southborough and what we got was a bit of strategy advice, some benefits to being in charge and ways to stay out of trouble.

Alex, 10 (sister, 8)
I like being an older brother because I get to be in charge. And once in a blue moon, she is fun to play with.

Maggie, 10 (brother, 8)
When I have friends over he tries to play with us. I think he does it to annoy me. My advice is not to do stupid things so you won’t get in trouble and keep your special things in a case.

Zach, 10 (brothers, 8 & 3)
They look up to me. My advice is if they (younger brother or sister) start to get mad, just walk away. Don’t do anything.

Ryan, 11 (sister, 9)
My advice is that they need a good person to follow around and maybe that’s me. Oh, yeah – Keep Out signs don’t work!

Joe, 10 (sister, 3)
Be careful, they (baby brothers and sisters) tell on you a lot! If I could teach her one thing, I would say don’t give into peer pressure.

Thomas, 11 (sister, 8)
When your parents aren’t around you can boss them around. If it seems like your parents always take your younger sister’s side, it’s normal.

Colleen, 11 (brother, 9)
Just be ready for like, anything. It depends on the attitude (of the baby sister or brother) some little ones are more physical and others are laid back. Just be ready. And make a rule – you don’t go into my room and I don’t go into yours.

Nathan, 11, (brother, 7)
My brother is always messing up my room. My advice is get friendly with them and then you can teach them some rules, like manners.

Megan, 10 (only child)
I hear friends tell me that little brothers and sisters are annoying but then I also hear they can be fun too.

New Parents Dish on Life With a Baby

If you’re like most parents, you prepared months for your baby’s arrival. But what is it really like to have a baby in your house. We asked a few veteran parents for their take:

Emily Sheff of Braintree with 6-month-old son Jacob
“What surprised me most was the 24-hour’ness’ of it. I knew it would be a lot of work and life changing but now I’ve realized that I won’t get a break until he goes to college!”

Kristen Walsh of Weymouth with her 9-month-old son Connor
“The best moment so far? To me, it was the first time I saw him. It still brings tears to my eyes. My other favorite is when he turned 6-months-old – there was such an awakening. He showed more of a personality by having his favorite foods and toys.”

Jim Maccalous of Wrentham with 2-year-old daughter Allie
“Before I was a dad I worried a lot about the responsibility of it all and if I could handle it. Once she came, that all changed. I really do enjoy taking care of her.”

Michelle Schweitzer of Milton with her 7-month-old son Jack
“I felt pretty isolated as a new mom. I got out right way. As soon as I got the OK, I signed up for a stroller fitness class. I also signed up for a Gymboree class. For me, that was my saving grace. I mean even getting out to the grocery store was a treat.”

Stephen Guay of Attleboro with 20-month-old son Nathan
“Ignore all those horror stories. It’s a lot easier than expected!”

Mark Marderosian of Newton
“When I became a dad, what surprised me most as the first year came to a close, is that the tough times weren't as hard as I had heard, and the good times were beyond any joy I could have imagined.”

Diane Lazer of Plymouth with her 8-month-old granddaughter Sienna
“I’ve noticed a lot of change (from raising her own kids) on how important routines are for young ones. I think it’s especially important now but kids can have so many caregivers and they all have to be on the same page for some continuity.”

Interviews were conducted at Gymboree of Quincy and Gymboree of Plainville. Visit www.gymboreeclasses.com for more information.