The older brothers have always been, I stop the little ones, an example to follow.
Apart from the typical jealousy of his age that makes it impossible for us to be doing something with the elder without him getting in the way to receive his dose of ... whatever, we are in the phase of doing everything his brother does. No matter what your brother is doing, he will do it, except the odd little thing that he must consider a little dangerous and little, or nothing funny, and then it takes a turn.
If the elder climbs on the couch, the little one goes behind, if his brother walks balancing the curb, to the curb we go, if his brother has taken a juice he takes another, and so on all day, I see it, I do it.
Your equal
Why does he preferably imitate his brother instead of one of his parents? Very simple, we are his parents but he is his brother, and an equal to him. It has similar height, similar constitution, shares its games from its position, they have the same "enemies" (that is, we) and of course it is much more fun than dad and mom. The choice is clear.
For example, if I see that there is something new to eat, the first thing I will do is see if my brother does not make a strange face and we can give it as "suitable for consumption."
Extra responsibility for the elderly.
This is where many times we screw up and it is that we begin to demand the eldest to behave correctly so as not to give a bad example to his brother. We make him grow suddenly, without his having asked for it. We do not realize that although he is the oldest, he is still a child who needs to discover his new abilities without having to worry about things like that if he starts climbing a wall in front of his brother he wants to follow him. I confess that I have used the excuse of "setting an example" to eliminate bad habits in the elderly, although with very limited success I must say.
Is it good for the child to have such an example?
In my modest opinion I think so. In fact I am 100% sure and I think that if it weren't for his brother, our little one would be much more delayed. I don't think we could teach him so much in such a short time. I think he is very clear that if he does his brother he can do it too. Even for us it is good and above all, very funny sometimes.
See the biggest protest because you do not want to go to bed and the little one with his rag tongue repeat what his brother says between yawns and while falling asleep in your arms is priceless.
What does the oldest of all this win?
Well, to have someone who fulfills each and every one of the crazy orders that occur to him. From climbing on the back of the sofa, to emptying over a jelly jar. All very fun.
