“Helping Baby Brother,” Friend, Nov. 2023, 16–17.
Helping Baby Brother
No one had time for Lashia now.
This story took place in South Africa.
Lashia had a new baby brother. His name was Liam. He had dark hair and tiny hands and feet. He was so cute!
But sometimes having a new baby in the family was hard. Mum and Dad were always busy now. And Liam cried a lot.
“Mum, can you read me a story?” Lashia asked.
“I have to wash Liam in the tub,” Mum said. “Maybe you can read a story with Ariana.”
Lashia sat down on the floor with her little sister. They flipped through the pages of a book. But it wasn’t the same without Mum.
“Dad, will you play a game with me?” Lashia asked.
“I need to help Mum with the baby before I go to work,” Dad said.
Lashia frowned. Mum and Dad never had time for her now! They were always helping Liam.
Soon Dad left for work. Mum put Liam down for a nap. She sat with Lashia and Ariana on the couch. She looked tired.
“We’ve been very busy with Liam,” Mum said. “Have you been feeling a little lonely?”
Lashia nodded. She felt like she wanted to cry.
Mom hugged Lashia and Ariana. “Liam needs a lot of help right now because he’s so little. He can’t do anything by himself yet, like you can.”
“I know,” Lashia said.
“But if you want, you can help me take care of Liam.” Mum smiled.
“Really?” Lashia asked. She liked that idea.
“Me too?” asked Ariana.
“You too,” said Mum.
Soon Liam started crying. When Mum changed his diaper, Lashia brought her the wipes.
“Thank you,” Mum said.
The next day, when Liam had a bath, Lashia and Ariana picked out a clean outfit for him to wear. It had cute little animals on it! They brought it to Mum so she could dress Liam.
“Thank you,” Mum said.
Lashia and Ariana thought of other ways to help. They made their beds each morning without being asked. Sometimes they made Mum and Dad’s bed too! And when it was time for dinner, they helped Dad in the kitchen.
“Thank you,” Mum and Dad said.
When Liam cried, Lashia tried to help him feel better. She held him and talked to him in a soft voice. Liam couldn’t say thank you yet. But one day he smiled big at Lashia!
Lashia smiled back. She was glad she could help her baby brother and her mom and dad too!
Illustrations by Shawna J. C. Tenney