Lynda Loveland: Big sis steppin' up

My oldest child, nearly eight-year-old Campbell, has officially earned the title of “big sister."

I’ve seen glimpses in the past, like the time we were at Monkey Joe’s. She jumped a bigger boy in one of the blow-ups who was fighting with my then five-year-old son. It was something to see, my skinny, 45-pound daughter jump on and take down an older, heavier boy. An older girl had to pull her off. She’s not afraid of boys at all. Insert smiley face here.

Well, the other day, she convinced me she’s ready for her role as first born.

We were talking about haircuts at the dinner table. My son has this beautiful blond hair in sort of a long surfer boy haircut. Can’t bring myself to cut it. I think he kinda likes it too, but he made the comment that the boys at school said he looks like a girl. Campbell, without hesitating, said “that makes you unique!” “You’re an individual and you don’t have to look like everyone else! I think it’s handsome!”

I talk for a living, but at that moment, I was speechless! I was soooo proud of her!

About an hour later, my four-year-old, was having trouble learning the alphabet, it’s that l-m-n-o-p thing. She was in tears. Next thing I know, Campbell gets her a note card and writes out all the letters for her.

Does my heart good. I’ll try to remember those little exchanges the next time she makes bodily function noises in public.