Love Is Like Rice

When it comes time to add a sibling to the family, young children are often concerned if there will be enough love to go around. I have found it helpful to make the answer as concrete as possible.

Concrete thinking is a well-documented characteristic of children. Jean Piaget described how our thinking changes throughout childhood. A child under the age of 6, for example, tends to overlook a transition. They see the beginning and end but not the transition itself. So, if given play dough, and asked to roll it into a ball and then into a sausage, and asked if there is more, less, or the same amount of play dough as a ball or sausage, they will tell you there is more when it is a sausage. They see it as bigger and cannot see that material was not lost or gained in the transition. I understand why children, who have such difficulty with abstract ideas, find this difficult to understand and persist in their worry about whether their parents will love them as much when there is another child.

So, when dealing with a child’s concern of a new baby brother or sister, it is best to respond as concretely as possible. A simple way to do this is to demonstrate the transition from uncooked to cooked rice. I have them hold a cup of uncooked rice in their hands. Then, together, we add it to the pot and add the water. Then we watch it boil and we wait. We keep watching and waiting. Then we uncover the pot and see how much the rice has grown. This is followed by the simple statement: “Love is like that. When we add something, like a new baby brother or sister, it makes the total amount of love grow. Just like the water made the rice grow. There will always be enough love to go around.”

What is even more interesting to me is the idea that, at times, adolescents and adults find this concept difficult too. Middle school and high school students worry that there is not room in the group for everyone; so letting someone in means someone may have to be excluded. First-time parents worry that they will not love each other as much once their child arrives. They worry that a child will take up their time and they will “lose the romance”. Parents worry that they will not love the second child as much as they love the first. These worries reflect a concern that there is only a limited amount of love to go around; that when we have to divide it among more people, each person will get less.

However, that is simply not true. Love is meant to fill the space that is available to it. It fills the spaces and brings us closer to each other. The more people we share our love with, the more love there is to go around.

Love is like the water that makes the rice grow. Be afraid to skimp on your love, not to share it.

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32 thoughts on “Love Is Like Rice

  1. What do you say to the sibling that’s “left out?” For example the family has three boys. Perhaps two closest in age bond. The third son is not included.. no fault of the parents. Yet that third son is truly aching… assume the parents are not able to fix the wrong…. what else or who else fixes the one left out?

    1. You raise an excellent point. Given that the parents are not able to fix the wrong, I will assume that the siblings are adults. If that is the case, I would recommend that the one who feels left out approach the other two and say something along the lines of “I know you two have a very special bond. But you need to know that I have always wanted to be a part of the connection you have with each other. I am not asking that you always include me in your time together, but I am asking you to think about how much I want to be a part of the special times you share. Adding me will only add to the love” – If they can’t understand that, share the concrete example of love is like rice. Talk to them at the same time; it is always better that way.
      I do hope others will respond to you – I know it is something that many experience.

  2. I completely agree with this. I remember asking my dad, who of his daughters he loved the most and he replied with, “If you had to remove one of your fingers, which one would it be? The chubby one, the thin one, or the tallest one? I can’t choose.” It was the weirdest way of saying that he does not prefer one compared to the other and all are equally loved, but I completely understood it. You simply do not love one child more than you do the other one.

    1. I absolutely love the way your father described his love for all of you! Thank you so much for sharing that with all of us.

  3. I absolutely agree with this. My brothers were very jealous when I was born being that I’m the only girl. My parents sat with them and told them that this new journey will give them the perfect opportunity to prove they will be the best brothers ever. Sadly the took that role very literally lol.

  4. I absolutely love this whole article. I can totally relate to my own life experience. My mom was told that after my brother it was impossible for her to have another child. Surprise I’m here lol.My brothers were very jealous since I’m the ONLY girl. When my parents found out they sat down with my brothers saying God sent me to make them strong caring men. Sadly they took that role very seriously 😂😂

    1. I enjoyed this article, I feel that teaching children through illustrations is a great way to teach them everyday life lessons. I do think that most people have a fear of being replaced when another individual is brought into the picture. That is a issue that is experienced in every part of our lifespan. For example, when your closest friend introduces you to another one of their close friends, you may feel threatened. If your significant other introduced you to a close friend thats the same gender as you, then you’d likely question the closeness of the relationship because you are unaware of the type of love they have for that individual. So it only makes sense to teach children from young that in life there are going to be times when you have to share the ones you love and view the new addition to be a positive thing and not a negative. What a great article!

  5. I really like how you bring this concept into fruition. When I was in middle and high school, and even now in college, whenever a new person joined a group, be from a romantic relationship or a person from the group thought they would be a great attention, there would always be some apprehension shared amongst the members. Mainly because some of the member thought that the new member would steal away their friends or something along those lines. And at the time, I also shared this perspective. However, now, I believe that love and kindness infinite. That it is better to welcome someone new into your group or life with open arms because it not only makes them feel welcome but also sets a good base to build your relationship on.

  6. I really enjoyed reading this blog because although I don’t have kids of my own, I’ve worked as a nanny for 7 years. I have worked with many different ages up until early teen years, and I too agree that children under the age of 6 tend to overlook situations. I feel that change in general for kids under the age 6 is difficult, so finding techniques to help them understand the advantages of change is a wonderful idea! Using undercooked rice and watching the process of it being cooked and growing in size is a great way to explain the growing of family and love. When I was 6 years old my mother started dating my step father just around the time when my father and his ex wife were having a daughter of their own. Being that my dads ex wife and him weren’t together anymore, they had to co parent. Although Ciaries wasn’t blood related to me by mother or father, she was considered nothing less than family. At first, I was not accepting of her being that she was replacing me as the baby of the family. I felt that the more attention and love she received, the less was given to me. In reality, that was all a part of my imagination. Ciaries didn’t live with us so I essentially spent more time with my family but when she came to spend the weekend, I would get jealous and feel as if my love and attention was being stolen by her. As I got older I started to gain love for Ciaries and I started to understand that having a new member in our family was a blessing, not a punishment. I believe that it took me longer than it should’ve to feel this way because I was never taught a lesson that would help me understand, like the one discussed in this blog. I feel that it would’ve helped me be accepting of Ciaries much sooner. Now, Ciaries and I are like best friends and I am so grateful to have her! Another way that you can teach this lesson to kids is by using pasta. Pasta also grows when being cooked in water!

  7. I really enjoyed reading this blog post. Particularly, I enjoyed the play dough comparison. It is so common that a child fears that their parents having another baby will result in less love and attention for them. The demonstration of uncooked to cooked rice and how it relates to getting a new baby brother/sister. I like when you said, “When we add something, like a new baby brother or sister, it makes the total amount of love grow. Just like the water made the rice grow. There will always be enough love to go around” I never thought about love like this, but it really is a refreshing perspective, and totally makes sense. On a different level, I can remember when I was in middle school, there were many moments when I didn’t feel included or welcomed. The final line, “Love is like the water that makes the rice grow. Be afraid to skimp on your love, not to share it”. I think that is a really practical way of thinking about love, but it is also sincere and valid. Overall, I found this post to be not only educational, but eye opening and a chance to reflect on my own life.

  8. I completely agree with this. I have a younger sister who is 8 years younger. Before she was born I used to beg for my parents to give me a younger sibling. But right after she was born I used to cry and tell them to return her, that I didn’t want her anymore. Baby’s require a lot of attention and when I was Younger I didn’t understand that. All I saw was competition for my parents love. Luckily my parents sat me down and explained that she wasn’t taken their love but rather expanding on it, that she loved us equally. I realized that love isn’t something to fight over but rather something that can be shared.

  9. “Love is meant to fill the space that is available to it”… what a great phrase Professor. In other words there should be no limit to the love you can give/receive. You also made excellent examples specifically on the coming of a new baby to the family. After being the only girl (and last child) for 13 years my mother was expecting another girl. I constantly thought that the love they had for me would decrease because now they had to share their love and attention to the new upcoming baby. Clearly as a mom now I know that’s never the case but you make a great point in how to physically model this for children. Love the critical points you make👍

  10. I truly adore this, When I was a child my brother did not like the fact that I was born because he felt like my dad would not treat him the same since I was his child and my dad was not my brother biological father. So my dad told my brother that a child is a lot of work but because my brother is so trustworthy he will help out to be a good brother and help out around the house. My father told my brother “no matter what happens I will always love you too no matter if we, not blood.” I find it really fascinating on how the author used “love is like the water that makes the rice grow”. My parents always say that their love is infinite it will never end.

  11. I absolutely love this. As the oldest child of three, my mother always tells me the story about when she first brought my brother home; we are two years apart, I insisted that she’d bring him back to the hospital and I didn’t ask for him. Seven years later she was pregnant with my younger sister and when she told me the news I remember being so angry at her; stil,l at the age of nine I could not for some reason I could not fathom the thought of my mother having another child. Space was limited; it was bad enough my brother and I were sharing a room but there was nothing my brother or I could do about it. As time passed and my sister was born I was by far the most on hands sibling ever. Today I reflect on my behavior because I remember it so vividly because for so long it was just my me and my brother but we have been given the opportunity to watch her grow and set examples and I remind myself I have someone who looks up to me which has encouraged me to be better; as if I’m her second parent. My sister is by far the sweetest, funniest down to earth thirteen year old girl I know, a better thirteen year old than I was. Her, my brother, and family have taught me the importance of love; we can be in a tiny one bedroom but as long as we have each other we have love and laughter. The importance of family; the more the merrier.

  12. I see things in your perspective. Sometimes we feel we love people less, and others we love more. Although, It is simply not true. There is plenty of love to go around throughout each individual. When I have kids, I know I will love and remind them that my love for each is equal.

  13. Great anology!..Love is such a big umbrella. It is expandable and can be shared for as many people as possible. If only every one have love in their hearts, what a lovely, love place this world would. Love begins from home, we should take the time out to sit with our kids and teach them the value of love. It will never be understood and share, if it’s not thought.

  14. I like this explanation and realization that love is not a limited thing that has to be divided amongst others , and once more people come onto the picture the love and friendliness does not divide up like a pie chart lol I understand how it can be difficult for children especially to undestand that logic, however even for friend groups i can find it relatable how others can push others away to feel like they have to make room for others. That could be why people have small friend groups, because its harder to understand that you don’t have to limit people off

  15. I can relate to this post. When I was pregnant with my second child, my first would always question me on if I will still lover her the same. I would have to constantly remind her that mommy has so much love in her heart that her love wouldn’t be cut short. Other ways that helped her get over her anxiety of being a big sister was having her help pick out the baby name as well as his first outfit home from the hospital. On the big day of baby’s arrival I had a present from him to her thanking her for being his Big Sister.

  16. I went through this with my first child. I had to constantly reminded her that her love wouldn’t be less. Things that I did that helped her get over her anxiety of having another child around was by including her in big discussions such as picking out the baby’s name as well as what he will wear when leaving the hospital to come home. Another thing that helped her was on the big day of her meeting her new baby brother I had bought a present for him to her thanking her for benign his big sister.

  17. I think when there is time to add a new member to the family there is excitement and anxiety at the same time . Excitement in a sense that the family is going to grow because there is a new member coming to
    join the family and I support the writer’s idea that it will strengthen the love for the family. There is also anxiety which make other family members believe the addition to the family will limit the attention they get from each other. Addition to the family is very exciting but it takes the romance between couple, because all the attention is diverted to the new born at the expense of the other partner. Children on the other hand tend to develop jealousy and hatred for the new born because they think the presence of a new child has deprived them of their attention, they tend to hate the newborn who is innocent and have no idea of what is going on but I guess is a human nature and we all have to deal with it

  18. It is very interesting to look at sharing or expanding love like uncooked and cooked rice it makes it easy to understand that we shouldn’t look at love like something that is limited but more as something that grows the more people there is to share it with. When my parents told me the news that I was going to have a little brother I was 5 years old and I was so happy because prior to the surprise I had asked them if I could please have a brother or sister. So, the way I saw it was finally I was going to have someone else to love but when my little sister was born my brother was only 3 years old and I was already 8 so I was happy but my brother was not so happy in fact they always have had like a rival relationship until now that they are older but even then, they seem to argue a lot. I also noticed that my mom tried to give more of the attention to my brother because she was worried my sister was taking all the attention away not only that he was the only boy. Furthermore, I felt like that affected my brother because he started to realize that yes, my little sister was getting more of an attention from family members and especially my dad then he was, in which would result of him doing things to seek attention from both my parents. So, I wonder if age and culture plays a role in how we see love as well?

  19. I really could relate to this blog because as a child , i had two more brothers , i became upset and jealous because i always wanted to be my father favorite .But after time i noticed that no matter if more siblings were joining the family my father will love us all the same .

  20. I agree with this post, I was an only child until I turned 7 when my mother got married . I always wanted a sibling to play with and do all the fun stuff with . When my sister was born I got all the attention taken away from me, I hated her for that . As I grew up it kept getting worse she wanted everything I had , nothing was mine because she wanted it. I could just look at her and my whole day was ruined I started to understand more as I got older . When I was 13 my little sister was 6 my mom had a talk with me . She made me understand that my sister looks for a role model in me someone to trust . After that I understood I had to set a good example for my sister , we started to bond. Life was great , then came the announcement that my mom was pregnant with a boy . My sister then realized when I had gone through with her . I love both my baby brother and sister , they still get on my nerves but what are siblings for .

  21. I can relate to this article because when me and my little sister where young my parents would worry about her more than me and when I was 10 and she was 8 I felt like I was forgotten by my parents because they would be more preoccupied with my little sister and what she was doing and worrying less about what I was doing.

  22. This blog hits home for me,being a mum of a 4 years old son who has gotten all the love and attention from my husband, myself, grandma(as her first grand baby) and my 5 sister in-laws it bothers me because am expecting another baby in few weeks how he is going to cope with the shift in attention.To me i know i wouldn’t love him less but i can’t speak for the others.I often fill him in on the fact that a baby is on the way and ensures he speaks the word i love you to my stomach all the time, the other day we both went to shop for the baby and he helped picked out what he likes for the baby.I guess its easy for him now that the baby is not here often he wants to jump on me and wants me to lift him up the way i used to but i do tell him i can’t and i can see how he just withdrawal and go sit down, looking at me from afar.like you wrote “love is like water that makes the rice grow”hopefully he gets the amount of water from everyone.

  23. Being a mom of two kids under the age of five at 20 years old was tough. my oldest daughter was two when she asked for a sibling being that I was young that was not what I wanted but shortly after my child asked conceived my second daughter. at first the eldest of the two was excited to be mommies little helper . The first two years it was blissful then the complaining started.” you only like the baby and buy the baby things”. I tried to explain to my daughter everything I’m doing for your sister I have done for you but you were to young to remember. As a parent it makes my job very difficult because I want them to know mom loves them both equally. My youngest daughter is sick so sometimes I often have to ask my eldest daughter for help and in her nine year old mind its mommy always helping her baby sister. lately I been trying to spend one on one time with each child to show them individual attention and I also signed the two up for dance so they can build a bond as sisters. my daughters are nine and five and I’m pretty sure there will be more fights and more mommy spoils you more than me but I hope they can learn everything mom does is for the both and they equally share a special place in my heart. my suggestion for other parents who are dealing with this is to create a foundation where both kids are involved and talk, talking can solve so many issues instead of you wrecking your brain trying to figure out why your child feels that way ask . children have a way of being brutally honest and I think that is what we need as families to resolve issues.

  24. I enjoy reading this post so much because you made such a great point on to explain to a child that you are going to love them the same amount you will with a new sibling. It is hard for a child to understand that as a parents no matter what, you are going to love them. I remember my mom struggled on telling that to my brother when i was born. He was 5 when i was born and he was super jealous that everyone in the family was bring me present and that all the attention was on me. My parents try their hardest to explain to him that they will always love him the same amount they do with me. That he had to learn to take care of me and love me as well. But of course he was stubborn. If only she knew the method you suggested thing would have been much easier for her. The way you made them get the same amount of rice and pour to boil and they saw how it was growing explaining that how love is. Love is to grow and build tons of it and show to your loved ones.

  25. I’m my moms last born between me and my sister , she always told my mom that I’m spoiled and I get away with a lot ; I always felt my sister felt left out because I was the youngest, however I always felt my mom adored her more because she was the oldest. Eventually I grew out of that mindset ; but my sister never did. My mom loves us equally and shes make sure she explains that to us all the time when she gets a chance. Parents have a unconditional love for each of there children , & that is what makes us grow and flourish to the persons we are now in my humble opinion.

  26. Growing up I was the oldest of my siblings and I also dealt with feelings like this when I was smaller. When it was time for my first brother to come home I was feeling like I was not going to be care about or loved as much as before because I thought that my parents would give my brother more attention and love. I felt that more when my second brother came around. Since I was the oldest I felt that my younger brothers get away with a lot of stuff easier then me. My parents were more strict on me. But my parents showed me love always. I really like this post.

  27. When it comes down to love itself, I agree that there’s always enough to go around when it comes to one’s children. However, I believe that it’s dangerously possible for couples to lose interest due to conflicting schedules and overall being emotionally drained during the day either by work or kids or a combination of the two and that “spark” just eventually fades away. At times, it is not unusual for a relationship to end that way, it could also be the reason why the divorce rate is so high. I was the last child in my family, among three other sisters, so I never really got to experience jealousy among siblings and whatnot. Both my parents always made time for me since all my sisters are much older than I am and by the time I was in elementary school my father would always make time for me, rarely would I see all of us together, however, its different when it comes to my mother because its just me and her here in the US now, for as long as I can remember that’s how its always been and my older sister from her side of the family had always lived abroad in Brazil so it really wasn’t a matter of choice that me and my mother always had time for each other. Nowadays, the usual behavior between us now is giving the other their privacy and time to themselves but I know she still loves me all the same like nothing’s changed since my adolescence.

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