Even when mommy can't respond to everyone's needs, especially the youngest, all the time, there is always a sibling there to respond?

I never realised this before & it is true! My LC consultant recently was discussing w/ me that when her 4 children were younger, that the children were always helping each other out when mommy was unable. I was telling her how my 4 & 3 yr olds help w/ my 9 mon old so much & w/ each other as well & that I felt bad b/c I wasn't meeting their needs as well as I would like to & she made me realize that even though it wasn't me meeting their needs, that their needs were still getting met! That made me feel so much better!

I have been watching my LOs & just how much they really do care for each other & how loving they are. It is amazing! I hope they will continue this as they get older. We have never pushed helping. We do ask sometimes but do not make big deal out of them not wanting to at any time. But usually, they step in freely & really want to help! If DS2 gets hurt, one of my LOs are comforting him before I can even get to him & some times he doesn't even need me after that. I use to feel bad about that like I was failing meeting his needs, but really he is getting his needs met by everyone in the family & building stronger bonds w/ everyone & that is a great thing!