My Sister Sent an Informative Screenshot

Haloo! Welcome back to my parenting by eldest sister, C series. Lol. I had another circumstance where I used my parenting skills as the eldest in the family.

It happened yesterday, when my youngest sister went home after playing outside the house for more than two hours. It's school break. Usually it's summer at the end of a school year but since there are changes in their academic calendar, their break started last month. My parents don't usually allow my youngest sister to go outside and play with other kids because they're worried that she might got sick from playing with street kids. They're like that ever since. I'm just glad me and my younger sister, the middle child, were rebellious back then haha we used to sneak out when my parents weren't around, we were able to experience playing outside and got bruises too!

Anyway, since everything has changed when my youngest sister was born, I became a part of parenting her. Since last month, we gave her a chance to mingle with other kids inside our property, meaning they can play only within our residential gate. After eating her lunch, she'd take a bath, wear her watch then she'll tell me when she's ready to go out. She always make sure to bring her watch with her so she'll be aware of the time. She can only play outside until 5pm. She usually go out around 2pm, so she has at least 3 hours to play around.

We do allowed her to do that because we refrain her from using her phone, her tablet, and her laptop as much as possible. Since she's been using those gadgets for like two years already because of online class set-up.

She went back at 5pm yesterday, together with her friend. They went inside the house to play once again. My father, after seeing them ready to play once more, told them to stop playing and be back again tomorrow because it's already 5pm.

My sister, who's really into playing that time, gets her phone and began rushing to the bedroom. I witnessed everything as I eat my snack in the kitchen. My younger sister, the middle child, asked me why our youngest is frowning. I told her the whole situation.

After eating my snack, I hurried to the bedroom to see what our youngest is doing. When we say NO to kids, it's appropriate to explain why we said no. Oftentimes, they misunderstand our intentions to the point that they'd hold grudges.

When I was about to talk to her, she sent a message in our group chat that somehow made me amazed and laugh at the same time, although I didn't let my sister see that I'm laughing inside.

She sent an informative screenshot in our group chat, together with the question Do you know how important is playing for a child?

I was amazed for the reason that she knows her right and that she can search for something like this on the internet but I'm also terrified of the thought that she can search anything she wants to learn, even the inappropriate ones, so we should be aware of what she does using her phone.

I waited for a while for my parents to do something but they didn't bat an eye. They're busy attending to their personal stuff. Again, it's my duty as the eldest to do something, or else, my youngest sister might hold it against my parents as she grows.

I explained to her the reason why our father said no awhile ago. We didn't refrain her from playing. In fact, we love to see her play without using her gadgets. I appreciate the fact that she's right on how important the role of playing is for kids but everything must have a limit, or else, there'd be chaos. I cited examples so she can understand.

Also, if we let her friend play inside, her friend's parents might be worried since it's almost night and we didn't want it to happen.

Another thing I highlighted during our small talk is respect. Sometimes we need to acknowledge their voice as well, especially if they make sense.

July 13, 2022