Daniel's Baby Sister

Daniel's mother's lap had been getting harder and harder to sit on. He hadn't noticed at first, but now it was impossible to ignore. It looked a little like she had a whole basketball in her tummy, but Daniel knew that wasn't it.

It was a baby sister.

Daniel was excited to be a big brother. He had never been a big brother before. His dad said it was a big deal. "You're going to get to teach her lots of stuff," said his dad. "Like how to tie her shoes and how to throw a baseball. Being a big brother is a very important job."

Daniel was ready. He imagined all the things he would do with his little sister. When they went to the park, he would hold her hand while they crossed the street, just like his mom had shown him. When they went to get ice cream, he would show her how to lick the cone all the way around so she wouldn't get ice cream on her shirt.

The day his baby sister was born was very exciting. They rushed to the hospital and put his mom in a wheelchair. Then Daniel waited in the Waiting Room with his grandparents. Soon afterwards, his sister was born. They let him go inside the hospital room and see her. Daniel couldn't believe she was so tiny.

He couldn't wait to start having fun with his sister. But in the days and weeks that followed, he realized things were going to be a little different.

"She can't do anything," he told his mom. "She can't play catch or watch TV. She can't even sit up."

"Don't worry," his mom said. "Soon she'll be able to do all those things, and then she'll need a big brother just like you to teach her."

"What do we do now?" asked Daniel.

"We just look at her," his Mom said. "And we talk to her, and hug her, and kiss her."

"That sounds boring," said Daniel.

"Have you tried it?" asked his Mom.

So Daniel tried it. He looked at his sister, sleeping peacefully in his Mother's arms. Then she woke up and she smiled at him. He held out his finger and she grabbed it.

"You're doing a wonderful job," his Mom told him.

"But I'm not doing anything," he said.

"Oh yes you are," she said. "Your baby sister needs to know that she has people who love her. She needs to know that we will care for her and always be there. And that's what you're doing."

"Oh, I can do that," said Daniel.

"I'm sure you can," said his Mom.

"Maybe she isn't so boring after all," said Daniel.