I hereby declare my dedication to the cause of the little people--namely younger siblings in general. I pledge to champion their rights, intelligence, and equality. Older siblings must recognise the plight of we underlings, and seek to bring us up--up to the dignity of responsibility. The Association for the Advancment of Younger People (AAYP) seeks to gain acknowledgment from elders of their human-hood and desires to impress upon them the truth that younger does not mean stupider. Give us respect, give us nurture and we will indeed cease to annoy, frustrate or defy you. We will instead become valuable friends and loving companions.
Yours for freedom and for fellowship,
Rebekah Reimers
Monday, November 06, 2006
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42 comments:
Yes my lady! Here, here!
I invite you to speak to the royal courts, for there are some noblepeople there who are greatly in need of such a declaration.
Two score and three years ago I was one of these "younger people" of whom you speak. So you see, I quite gravely relate.
Thank you Kristi--I knew you would be loyally sympathetic to the cause.
I must clarify that the above declaration of independence is solely reminiscent of my childhood/adolescence and can be but little applied to my present life. I have pretty cool brothers and sisters--I have them trained you see (it was a long, hard struggle). :)
In view of the former consideration, I must assert that I write for my many younger people acquaintences who still groan in bondage. Down with tyranny!
Note: All older syblings who object to my declaration should email me, call me, or meet with me in person, and I shall try to respectfully negotiate on behalf of my beloved clients.
Amen sister, preach on! I heartily agree with you, with but one exception; "All older syblings who object to [your] declaration..." ought to pull themselves together as the youngers so often had to do, because you know, "life isn't fair"!
Is there a family struggle for power in your abode? As the oldest I come with a slightly different view.
wow, kristi, are you really 43?!?! wow......
Michael:
See my above comment for clarification. Note that I said, "[the above declaration of independence] can be but little applied to my present life." I was perfectly sincere when I wrote that. No power struggle here.
Again, see my above comment if you wish to challenge my position. I can only imagine that you have an entirely different perspective on the issue. Fear not--I shall seek to adjust that unfortunate reality.
Struggle! Oh, the painful struggle! I am tossed and torn! I hold such sympathy for all of my FELLOW younger siblings! But what also tortures my small mind is what an injustice is being enacted upon my fellow Older Siblings!
Yes! That is correct! I am three times an older sibling, and yet again, three times a younger sibling! What is a man to do?! Shall I develop multiple personalities?! Or perhaps go completely raving mad and slaughter myself in full view of countless millions?!?!
Please, for the love of--um--ME(!), HELP!!!
Nathan! Why I never thought of the conflict that must be going on in your own situation. Must you be doomed to apathy, or is there a healthy medium for you? Or, perhaps your identity is indeed a perfect one, balanced and sympathetic on both sides. Think of it as a blessing, as I see my position. I may need to use you as an ambassador to both sides of this debate. Willing? Up for it? Good!
Nathan, you are so funny, I almost committed a faux pas and laughed out loud in Whatcom's library. :)
I feel for Nathan...what a precarious position to find oneself in. However, as the oldest sibling of six, I must say I don't see a need for change in this area...
I don't really need to be adjusted.
Do I percieve a note of challenge in the tone of your comment sir? Bring it on!
maybe thing is turning into more that sibling rivalry.....older and younger in the families going further than just their own families?
I will stay neutral because I am the oldest of girls only, which is not as difficult as boys, in my experience.
Hmm. Interesting Cassi--in my experience it was the girls who were at the center of conflict.
Seeing as I have no sisters but five younger brothers, my only experience with sibling rivalry has been with boys.
As the oldest of 3 boy and 4 girls, it my opinon that it is much more open with boys, girls seem to hide it all away.
LOL!
Oh Brandy, that's so funny that you caught that....I thought I had it wrong, but I wasn't sure :D
So "score" is 20 years??
I'm going to go look it up...
Oh goodness I just laughed so hard, first at Rebekah (really I'm taking you seriously here) than at Nathan. Nathan I really feel for you.
Okay I'm a older than 6 of my brothers and sisters and younger than 1. I would have to point out that though we may seem tyranous at times we are only looking out for the well being of you "younger people." Speaking personally here I tend to over boss my siblings, but in my defence I'm only trying to keep them from making the same mistakes as me, or to protect them from the world. Maybe not my place but nevertheless the place that I've chosen. So try to remember we, older siblings do love you. And if you would try to understand our postion a little more, and stop being so annoying and frustrating then maybe we won't be such tyrants. As you put it.
Oh here is a quote that Nathan might like.
"Older siblings hold the responsibility of being the oldest, the youngest have all the attention of being the baby, but us poor middle children must live a life being unnoticed, unappreciated, and ignored."
At times I am tempted to envy the "middle child" because there are instances where it is a good thing to "fall between the cracks." The oldest child must often take responsibility for everyone's naughtiness just because they were the "leader" in the situation.
I'm all for treating people with respect--even when they don't deserve it--interesting idea though: that respect equals giving responsibility! After all "He who sends a message by the mouth of a fool.... But what about those of us who feel tyranized by our younger siblings? Like, "Are you setting a good example?" And if you want equality, you'd better be fair. After all it is the older siblings that "grease the slide." Things like parents getting used to kids driving, so you get your license sooner. Or you reap the benefits of our mistakes: you have a better education. And don't forget--you have at least 5 father figures--I didn't have any when I desperately wanted one. So...count your blessings! It isn't all a throne of roses. :) I too champion your rights (equal in Christ), your intellegence (may it be greater and more useful than mine). But not your equality--may you be godlier, holier, and strive for a comparison only to Christ!
Hold on folks!
I do not by any means deny the nicety of having older sibling to pamper, protect etc. In fact, I think my big brothers/sisters were (and are) extremely considerate in many ways. I also can appreciate the very convenient "grease the slide" effect that Rachel referred to.
Now, as Gloria so interestingly asserted that if only we would just "stop being so annoyinhg and frustrating then maybe we [they] won't be such tyrants," it seems that we younger people could throw that argument straight back in your face. We would collectively say "if only you would stop being tyrants we would stop being annoying and frustrating."
I simply speak according to my own experience, but after consideration I believe both sides need to capitulate.
Well as most of you know this is not a subject that I can speak of with too much authority. I have much enjoyed your banter back and forth and can see that this is a serious issue that should be taken up by more people than dear Beka and Kristi. On the other hand I have been "The Oldest" in many situations so I can sympathize with some of the comments made in that direction. As we age and mature we look back on our mistakes and want to save you from the same fate. So rather than consider us bossy or dominearing consider that we love you so much that we would take the time to try and engage with you to help you.
So is Beka saying we need to reach a mutual comprimise or truce? I think the younger ones should stop that (whatever it is that younger siblings do that make us so protective) first. Then we might come around, being the older and more responsible ones.
Okay Rebekah, after talking this over with you today, I would have to say we are going to have to agree to disagree on this subject.
So what are you saying Michael? You are saying that in order to resolve this conflict we unfortunate, unwise children must simply admit your superiority and forget about it? Hah! You have another thing coming to you. Just as you are allegedly the "older and more responsible ones," I would think that you would be the ones expected to make the first move toward reconciliation and further respect. Your position seems to equate: "Older is too suave and lofty to bend--you're younger--you can bend first." Ridiculous! If we are to continue arguing about who should bend first than I think I shall have to bow out of this discussion. Human nature being as it is, that would indeed be a fruitless one!
Gloria, I don't think it needs to be that way.
The heart of the matter, as I presented it to you today, is not about who's bossy, who's annoying, who's wrong, who's right. I'm sorry that bossiness ever was equated into the discussion. It is often nessecary for older siblings to be given a certain measure of authority over their younger siblings. This is, in my mind, an entirely different and petty matter compared with the one that I am concerned with.
The matter that I am concerned with is the simple fact that often younger children end up either fighting desperately for status and respect among their elders, or simply allowing themselves to be walked upon.
You older siblings see this fight enacted before you daily as your younger brothers/sisters insist of tactics of annoyance and displays that you would call immature. You just don't seem to understand that by simply granting them the respect that their little hearts long for and bringing them up to what you would see as "your level" you will have theoretically eradicated, that annoying, whiny little voice, that ever-present little sister who always wants to be with you. You have an incredible opportunity to bless you family right there. What's so hard about simply letting them come, letting them have a part in your supposedly superior world? You might find your best friends if you do. Honest.
Sure--I know you love them. But how do you show it?
*stepping off soap-box*
P.S. Yeah, younger siblings very well may be less mature than you--that's natural. But you're not helping it any by rubbing it in their faces.
Rebekah - thanks for your dedication! I cannot avoid believing that by narrowing your cause so much you doom it to failure.
The problem is systemic, not isolated to disregard from older to younger. A natural overdose of self-regard renders all of us interested in promoting our own rights, intelligence, and equality. A good (and regular!) dose of the Gospel will have the effect of moving us to "esteem one another better than ourselves," and to devote our energies to "building up Christ's Body [and all its various individual members] in love." Our problem is not that one category (age/race/gender) oppresses another. Our problem is that all live for self. May the love of our Father make us faithful mimics, living out a love that lays down even life for the good and maturity of one another (cf. Eph 5:1-2).
Lotsa love, from an older bro who wants AND needs you. :)
Michael: I apologize for the tone of the above comment directed toward you. It was almost entirely reactionary and probably unnessecary as well. :)
Dearest Joel and Rachel:
Thank you for consistently and graciously pointing me back to Christ no matter how far I wander in my petty personal opinions. Joel, you are right in your belief that this cause is "doomed to failure" as it were. It hasn't up till now been centered around the foundation of Christ and our calling to follow His perfect example. Sometimes quibbling over minor issues become fruitless when the root of the matter is neglected. Again, thank you so very much for your wisdom and the faithful nature of your counsel!
I love you guys incredibly more than I can express on this silly blog thing. :)
AMEN, brother Joel! Preach it!!! God's Word certainly has the solution!
You did put me in my place so to speak, It will take me a while to put together an argument suitable for such a answer.
This has turned into quite the discussion...
Happy 19th Dahling! Don't you wish we could have a shared cake again this year? I bet you miss sharing the party with me, right?
Wow, Bek, only one more year of teenagerhood!
Yes, I certainly do! I was just wishing that very thing yesterday as I was thinking of you and your 31 years. Did you get the message that Kylee and I left on your aswering machine?
Believe me I'm looking forward to shedding the dubious pleasure of teenagerhood.
Happy Birthday dearest Beka!
I shall be seeing you in 4 days!!!
Ouch! You weren't supposed to publish my age to the entire blogging community! Just the other day I had someone convinced that I was 25. . .you should have seen their shocked look when they learned the truth! ;)
Oops! Sorry Sarah. Hey, hey--25 isn't bad at all!
Keep a sharp eye out for a package heading your way very soon...
Anna--I can't wait to see you. :)
Shame on you for not telling us it was your birthday! :) Many happy returns! :)
Happy Birthday ( I believe I missed that)
It is good to see you on line. However I must say that, being the oldest in my family, I have quite a sympathy in my heart for the elder siblings and not so much for the younger siblings. I also understand Abbie's predicament with having only brothers and no sisters (although I don't have quite as many as she does.
I think I missed it too, Beka. Whoops. :( I shall have to make up for it - there's no excuse. Are you free tomorrow? I shall take you out for cakes and tea. What about the responsibility and *sniff* LONEly position of being the only child? I hear they are sadly underrepresented around your domicile.
Hey Sarah, no worries on your age, you are forever stuck at 24 yrs old in my book! :)
Oh my goodness Rebekah, I loooove your blog! Such giggles...I just created a blog of my own - and am completely obsessed with it! There such fun!
And I VERY much appreicate the work the AAYP. I'm a younger sibling myself, and we really need someone like you to speak for our cause! :)
Love,
Kathy
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