Emma is only five years old. For some reason, though, she behaves as though she’s 30. She is constantly trying to help people, make people happy, and, genuinely, be a nice person. She is rarely selfish, and always shares with her siblings, friends, and strangers.

You’d think I would be thrilled to have such a wonderful, accommodating child. Well, of course I am. I can count on her. She’s the one that does what she’s told when she’s told, and rarely complains. The problem is: she does what she’s told when she’s told and rarely complains.

Emma is, after all, only 5. I think she needs a little bit of selfishness. I think she needs to be demanding every once in a while. I think she needs to be a kid, rather than an old lady trapped in a kid’s skinny little body.

Let me give you some examples of what I like to call “Poor Emma-ness:”

1. Yesterday at the playground, she pushed her brother, sister, and little friend Katie on the swings because I told them I wouldn’t (I have a stomach the size of a house – I am not pushing little ones on the swings). I told her that she didn’t have to do it, but she replied that she was only helping me.
2. Today, she helped her little sister get ready to go outside by putting on her shoes and jacket. Again, I told her that I could do that, but she said she just wanted me to rest, and that she would take care of it.
3. She often cleans out Gracie’s “Big Girl Potty” after Gracie has used it without even mentioning it to me.
4. When it’s time to brush teeth, she puts out all three toothbrushes and puts toothpaste on them for everyone.
5. She reminds Gracie to go to the bathroom.
6. She always remembers that she needs her medicine, even if we forget.
7. Emma never forgets anything. ANYTHING. EVER.


Today, I asked her why she was trying to so hard to help me out. She replied that she was practicing to be a good mother, just like me. That made me want to cry. She’s only 5!! Then I asked her how many children she wanted, and she said 4, just like me. When I told her that we might have more kids, she said she’ll be happy with however many children God gives her.

I don’t understand what wonderful things Tom and I must have done to deserve such a child, but I am sure am glad God gave her to us.