Describe some of the problems of looking after younger brothers or sisters
Being an elder brother or a sister has its advantages as well as problems. In a big family, the elder one has to share some of the responsibilities of both father and mother. This can be looked upon as a necessary difficulty which one cannot avoid. For the smooth running of the family, such a service of the elder child, is always expected.
Now let us see some of the problems of looking after the younger ones. They have to be kept away from the kitchen where mother is busy cooking. If you prevent them from going into the kitchen they will cry. This will disturb mother. If one or two slaps are administered, they will start screaming. The elder one is asked to dress up the younger ones and this is really an ordeal. They become very rebellious and choosey about their clothes, make the task very hard and one loses all patience. Quite often, they have to be coached in their school work. They won’t come at all for studies when called. The elder one has to be infinitely patient. If the elder one were to lose patience, only he or she will be blamed.
Another difficulty is that the elder one cannot own anything new or attractive; the younger ones too want to have it. It may be a pen, an instrument box or even a pencil eraser. The elder one may protest but to no avail, it will be the younger ones who will get their way.
Another trying occasion is when mother goes to a theater or visits a friend. The younger ones make a hell of that time. They will pick quarrel among themselves, fly at each other’s throat, want to cat something and if they are given what they want, they will demand more of it. If they are refused they will complain to mother. The younger ones always spy on the elder one. They want to accompany the brother or sister wherever he or she goes. They will always be ready to carry real or imaginary tales to the mother. They want to be with their elder brother or sister but at the same time they want to have their own way, they would not want to listen to their elder brother or sister.
These kinds of situations are very common in large families and only in rare instances can we find families where the children are loving and close to each other.
