Can we learn to babysit?

It amazes me to watch my children grow and learn. We homeschool, so my children are always together, always at home with Mama. This picture was not posed. I came into the living room to find Wendy watching t.v. and Nea happily nested on her lap. It reinforced some really neat things for me. . . one, my children are used to being cared for and handled by thier siblings, even if those siblings aren't "old enough." Weebit, age 5, can barely carry Linnea, but when she does, Nea is as comfortable and trusting as can be. They have learned that Mama doesn't have to do everything for them. . . what they can't do for themselves, they can ask the older children to help them with. We have our own little microcosm here, a community where everyone helps everyone else, and usually it's even without squabbles! :o) I also am amazed at what instincts my children have the opportunity to develop that I didn't, being the baby of two children. When Shane or Nea need help with something, the older children just instinctively come along side and meet whatever need there is. Often, I have to prompt them, but just as often, I will enter a room to find one child taking the hand of another and helping them along. So when they ask "when can I learn to babysit?" I just smile and say "I think you'll be ready."