Growing up I sometimes found myself playing the role of something other than what should have been expected of me. Sometimes we are forced to step up and into challenging situations that can feel unfair. Unfortunately, this can happen out of obligation or survival, but I believe it can also be out of love. The Big Little Brother is representative of the experiences in our lives where we have participated in a form of role reversal. I think most people can relate to this, some more significantly than others.  These experiences shape our perspectives, our empathy, and our relationships. They leave us with some scars, and they help make us resilient too. 

My son Vincent was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 2 at age three. Our second son, Van, was born just 5 months prior and I wondered if he too would be on the spectrum. If he wasn’t, had I just inadvertently created a role reversal for him, and was that fair? Watching them grow together I realize that it is possible that Van might be at times a protector of his older brother, but he also gets to be the little brother too. They will each have their strengths and challenges and those will probably be different.  With that, they will be able to love and support one another, providing experiences that will guide their way to being great humans.  The lessons might not be learned the same way, but love will grow out of it.

My job as their mom is to help prepare them for life and they inspired me to find a way to help both of them help one another.

The Big little Brother is an honor and a nod to those that understand.  A hug, encouragement, some understanding, a friend, someone who gets it.  We are in this together and you are not alone.

Samantha Politzer Weiss