My wife and I have four kids. They’re thirty-three, thirty, twenty-nine, and sixteen. Yep, sixteen. Yes, we planned it. Not an afterthought at all. But, because she’s adopted, she thinks we love her brother and sisters more. Why? In her words, “Because you treat me like I’m still a kid.” To which we respond, “You ARE a kid.” The eye roll ensues, and then we’re back to square one. The reality is we do treat our older kids differently because they’re adults. We’re also grandparents—and that makes it even worse because we try to spoil our grandkids. What helps ease the tension? Constant affirmation. Stories about her siblings’ childhood help her realize that we weren’t all that different with them. Psalm 133:1 says, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers [and sisters] dwell in unity” (ESV).

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Suggested Reading: Psalm 133:1,, Matthew 18:22,, Romans 12:10