by Linda Kay

Created on: October 30, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Girls hold a very special place in my heart. My husband and I have been blessed with four of them. Although I have been 'raising' them for 28 years now, I know there is so much more for me to learn. But, overall, this has been an exciting experience.

Our first and second daughters are thirteen and a half months apart. Our second and third daughters are thirteen and a half months apart. Then we have two years and four months between our third and fourth daughters. So, not only have I learned a few things about having daughters, but I learned about having them close. Yes it was difficult, at times even sad; but it is an experience I would do all over again.

Since my husband and I were trying to finish college when our oldest daughter came along, we pinched pennies wherever we could. That meant disposable diapers were a luxury. We did use them the first month or so for each child, but that was about the extent of it. That meant cloth diapers; many, many, many cloth diapers. Since our first three daughters were so close, that meant everything I did, I did for three consecutive years. They were all potty-trained by thirteen months; our fourth daughter was potty trained by fifteen months. (I was tired by then!) The most important advice I had been given was 'be consistent', and I was. I could not bear the thought of my little girl wearing stained diapers or training pants. So, as I diligently changed them, and took them to the potty many times a day I would scrub their diapers, as well as their training pants when necessary. I am proud to say each one was nice, white, and unstained when I gave them away years later.

As they grew, I would give them age-appropriate care. They all walked early and wanted to help me make the bed. At such a young age their idea of helping was messing up the general area where they stood. They were not being bad; they just did not know how to do the job. How would they, if I never showed them? I would stand behind them, hold their little hands and tell them "Good girl. Help mommy smooth the wrinkles.", as I slid their little hands back and forth in front of them. They would smile so big and tell me all about it in their little baby garble. It did not take forever. After a few seconds out of my morning the next few days they were smoothing wrinkles' as I made the bed. I would give them hugs and kisses along with verbal praise. They were so happy with their endeavor, and I was very proud of them. I always made a big deal of showing daddy their

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