Yes. Definitely. A group home for long-haired girls. Except for the one boy. And we just happen to have a high percentage of redheads. As the question was whispered from one giggling sibling to the next, it was hard for us to contain our mirth until we got home!

Jonathan: Well, I’m glad most of us homeschoolers are able to laugh about those kinds of questions rather than getting angry or offended. After all, it’s better for everyone concerned if we can answer with a smile instead of a glare! (And I’m glad to learn that younger siblings are smarter; I’ll have to remember to inform my brother of that fact the next time we disagree about something!)

Speaking of older and younger siblings, I know both of you are the eldest in your families, which I imagine has provided you with some interesting experiences and opportunities to learn and grow. What is life like as the eldest in a large homeschooling family?

Carolyn: I consider being the eldest in a large family to be the best thing that ever happened to me! It does involve a lot of work: chores and babysitting, making meals and changing diapers. The responsibility I’ve learned has stood me in good stead as I started my own business. I’ve watched my mom hand out tasks to my younger siblings and I see them feel needed and important. When they know appreciation accompanies responsibility, they live up to it.

As I’ve watched the effects of this in my life and others, I’ve realized that a child with responsibility is a much happier child than one who has none. It equips them for real life—for caring for others and managing a household and business. As the oldest child in our family, I gained responsibility and the accompanying privileges first. I often carried the biggest load, but I don’t remember ever feeling hard done by. I was needed by my family. That in itself was a privilege.

Rachel: I concur. Being the oldest is a lot of work, but it’s also a very big privilege.

It’s been interesting to be the first one to navigate various new waters in life—moving away for a time, educational choices, relationships. But the great thing about a big family is that even if I do things first, I never do them alone. Our family community is always there. I’m very aware that things are not about “me” so much as they’re about “us.”

Read the rest of the interview next week on Homeschool!

Jonathan Lewis is a homeschool graduate and enjoys working with his family on Home School Enrichment Magazine. In his spare time, Jonathan can usually be found reading, mowing the lawn, or spending time with his family.

This article was originally published in the July/Aug 2008 issue of Home School Enrichment Magazine. For more information, and to request a FREE sample issue, visit http://HomeSchoolEnrichment.com.