Stahlke Adoption

Conflicting Incentives

The older five children are very grateful that Kola is finally here with us, but they are also (naturally) jealous over the diminished attention they receive with one more child in the family. This is a problem with David, especially, since he has been replaced as the youngest child. Whenever he is a "good big brother," I give him a lot of praise.

This morning, Kola worked very hard to get dressed quickly and help clear the breakfast table. That's his ticket to choose the music in the car on the way to school. Both Sarah and David wanted him to win that right, which deserves high praise as "good older siblings." But it also meant that they didn't help Kola clear the table!

posted by Stahlkes @ 1:36 PM